I, Fikile April Mbalula, do hereby wish to state that as an Honorary Colonel in the South African National Defence Force I will be able to render service in the interest of my unit in the following ways:
1. As Minister of Sport and Recreation SA I have embarked on a road within Sport and Recreation SA to ensure that sport is accessible to all. I have outlined a “Road Map to Optimal Performance and Functional Excellence” and the following are some of the strategic goals which SRSA has identified and which can be of value in my role as an Honorary Colonel:
a. To lead the process of sport transformation informed by a clearly articulated conceptual and contextual framework.
b. To ensure that institutional mechanisms are in place that provide equal access at all levels of participation in sport and recreation.
c. To contribute to social cohesion and employment opportunities through mass mobilisation in sport and recreation.
d. To contribute to a healthy lifestyle through the provision of recreation programmes.
2. One of the main responsibilities of an Honorary Colonel is to assist in maintaining regimental or unit traditions, to foster esprit-de-corps (comradeship, unit pride and high morale) and to represent regimental and unit interest. How better to do this than through sport. Nothing builds comradeship and pride like sport does. This can be seen throughout South Africa when we stand proud in our green and gold shirts and join together to encourage our National Teams, irrespective of which sporting code is on the field.
3. The vision of SRSA is “An active and winning Nation”.This is a concept not only for sportsmen and women but also for our National Defence force which is the last line of defence of our country. The SANDF cannot afford to have unfit soldiers and therefore cooperation between the SANDF and SRSA should be nurtured and encouraged.
4. Another responsibility of an Honorary Colonel is to foster civilian and regional connections, goodwill and support and regimental alliances within the National Defence Force or with foreign allied regiments and establishments and with affiliated cadet detachments. As Minister of Sport and Recreation SA, travelling is part of my duties and by wearing two hats, both SRSA and the SA Army CTC can benefit from fostering relations within the sporting fraternity both nationally and internationally.
5. As a national figure in the sporting fraternity, government and amongst the youth of our country I am able to promote the South African National Defence Force as a leading employer. Unemployment is a reality in our country and in order for our economy to grow and as such for our Defence Force to grow it is essential that new blood enters the mainstream employment ranks. No organisation can afford to lose the expertise and skills of the older generation without replenishment. Is it therefore important to recruit the younger generation and teach them to become leaders and skilled members of society. Sport and training in the Defence Force could become major players in the formation of our future leaders.
6. Many of the great sportsmen and women of our country have come from Defence Force backgrounds.It is therefore essential that the SANDF promote the participation of sport not only to be used as a fitness tool but as a means of creating leaders, strong competitors and a generation of nation builders. Inter unit sports competitions such as boxing matches or soccer matches should become part of the daily routine within the ranks of the National Defence Force. The annual Skills competition within the SANDF could be expanded to incorporate more sporting codes and not only be a competition to exhibit individual skills of soldiers but the collective skills of a group as well.
7. Other aspects pertinent to the appointment of an Honorary Colonel such as the relationship of the officer commanding and other ranks, unit activities and visits to other units would be an honour for someone in my position. The opportunities to engage with the youth of our country could grow exponentially. To see a young sportsman or sportswoman excel on the field fills us with pride but when that young sportsman or sportswoman also wears the uniform of the SANDF with courage and pride, our national pride can only overflow.
8. As Minister of Sport and Recreation SA and previous Youth Leader of the ANC, I am in an excellent position to promote the South African National Defence Force amongst the youth in South Africa.I am willing to assist in the SANDF’s national recruitment campaign at any time should my schedule allow it.
9. According to the SANDF website: "SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM" remains the motto of the SA Army Combat Training Centre. Translated it means "If you want peace - prepare for war", a very befitting description that captures the essence of this military training institution situated in the middle of the Kalahari region in the Northern Cape. This could be the “War cry” of any South African National Sporting Team. Without preparation you have nothing; without preparation there is no chance of winning; without preparing your fitness you cannot be a sportsman or sportswoman or a soldier.
