skills development system intakes
10 January 2007
The rejuvenation of the South African Nation Defence Force got a shot in the
arm this year when 4 518 young, deserving, healthy and fit South Africans of
all races, answered a call to make the Department of Defence their employer of
choice. Three thousand nine hundred and sixty nine recruits have already
reported at three South African Infantry Battalion in Kimberly in the Northern
Cape, South African Army Infantry School in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape and
at the South African Air Force Gymnasium in Pretoria to start with their basic
military training.
Some remaining recruits reported today, 11 January 2007 at Naval Gymnasium
in Saldhana, and the rest will report on 28 January 2007 at the South African
Military Health Services Training Formation in Pretoria.
The Military Skills Development System (MSDS) was started in 2003 to ensure
the enhancement of the SANDF's mission readiness through the systematic
rejuvenation of its human resource composition through yearly intakes of the
country's youth. The MSDS also ensures a continuous provision of personnel to
the SANDF reserves.
This system also provides the youth with skills and employment
opportunities. Supporting the MSDS is the Youth Foundation Training Programme
which was launched in 2001 as a vehicle to ensure continuous supply of
competent personnel in specialist mastering such as engineering, pilots,
doctors, dentist and naval combat officers among others. This programme
provides school leavers from previously disadvantaged communities with an
opportunity to upgrade their matric grades in Mathematics, Physical Science,
Biology and Geography.
For the current year, 2007, a group of 250 will join the Department of
Defence under the Youth Foundation Training Programme:
* South African Army: 3 667
* Three South African Infantry Battalion: 2 438, 8 January 2007
* South African Army Infantry School: 1 229, 10 January 2007
* South African Air Force: 302
* South African Air Force Gymnasium: 302, 10 January 2007
* South African Navy 296
* South African Saldanha: 296, 12 January 2007
* South African Military Health Services (SAMHS): 253
* South African Military Health Service Training Formation: 253, 29 January
2007.
A national recruitment drive for the 2008 MSDS intakes will start in March
2007.
Enquiries:
Mr Sam Mkhwanazi
Tel: (012) 355 6123
Cell: 083 628 0858
Issued by: Department of Defence
10 January 2007
Source: Department of Defence (http://www.dod.mil.za)
