Today the Minister of DMV presided over the inauguration of the first permanent Defence Force Services Commission at its meeting held at Defence Headquarters in Pretoria. This followed a lengthy consultative and selection process, which was concluded by Cabinet in September 2013.
The commission is established in terms of the Defence Act of 2002 as amended in 2010. Prior to this amendment the interim Defence Services Commission was established to prepare the legal frame work and operating model for the permanent commission.
Members of the South African National Defence Force have historically been excluded from the bargaining mechanisms provided for improvements and adjustments in respect of remuneration, allowances and general conditions of service for the public service.
Several attempts have been made over the years to find ways for the needs of the soldiers to be addressed in this regard. A Military Bargaining Council was established by the Defence Act of 2002, but this has proven to be dysfunctional in practice for a number of reasons.
The inauguration of the permanent Defence Force Services Commission heralds a new era and a progressive step in the quest to ensure the well-being of women and men in uniform. Earlier this year during her address to the Goodwill Parcel project Minister Mapisa-Nqakula expressed a commitment to this imperative when she said: 'As it is often said, the two reinforcing responsibilities of a Commander are, accomplishment of the mission, and the welfare of his or her soldiers. The fact we have known time in memorial is that kings and generals do not fight wars or deploy themselves in missions, they require a capable force of soldiers. It follows therefore that in order to accomplish their mission they should take care of these soldiers'.
The Minister further indicated that the establishment of the permanent Defence Force Services Commission gives practical expression to our commitment to put our soldiers, a national asset of value at the centre of the work of the Department of Defence.
The Minister also used the opportunity to pay tribute to every soldier who serves South Africa with pride, discipline and patriotism. "The SANDF is the pride of the country and a shining example of the level of greatness that this nation can reach", added the Minister.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula also pronounced a decision to appoint the Professor Edna Lorraine Van Harte as Chairperson of the Permanent Defence Force Service Commission, Major General (retired) Bantu Holomisa MP has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson.
The full list of members is as follows:
1. Lieutenant-General (ret) Lambert Moloi
2. Major-General (ret) James Henry April
3. Major-General (ret) Bantubonke Holomisa
4. Professor Renfrew Leslie Christie
5. Professor Edna Lorraine Van Harte
6. Mr Ian Robertson
7. Ms Magirly Rebecca Mokoape
8. Ms Lindiwe Zulu
9. Ms Dipuo Mvelase
The Minister congratulated the members and expressed her full confidence in their ability to carry this task. She pledged her cooperation and support of both the DOD and the SANDF Command in their work.
Enquiries:
Sonwabo Mbananga, Spokesperson to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Cell: 082 045 3963
