Development System intakes
6 January 2009
The Minister of Defence, Mr Charles Nqakula will on Thursday, 8 January
2009, visit with over 300 new South African Air Force Military Skills
Development System (MSDS) recruits at the South African Air Force Gymnasium in
Thaba Tshwane.
This group forms part of the approximately 5 452 new MSDS recruits that will
assemble countrywide from 6 to 16 January 2009. Once assembled they will be
transported to the various training institutions of the four Arms of Service,
(SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy and SA Military Health Service) of the SANDF to
begin their basic military training.
The aim of the MSDS is two-fold, namely to enhance the South African
National Defence Force's (SANDF) mission readiness through the systematic
rejuvenation of its human resource composition. This is done through annual
intakes of young, fit and healthy members of South Africa's population.
Secondly, the MSDS serves as a feeder system for the defence reserves and
seeks to provide scarce skills to the youth of the country to enable them to
contribute meaningfully to the growth of its economy.
Subsequent to their basic military training, deserving MSDS recruits will be
afforded an opportunity to choose training in specific careers. These include
pilots, air space controllers, engineers, medical practitioners, naval combat
officers, technicians, divers etc.
The MSDS intakes have grown year on year: the 2008 MSDS intake was 4 280,
which increased to about 5 452 in 2009 and it is expected that the figure will
grow to about 10 000 recruits by 2010.
You are hereby cordially invited to send a journalist and/or a
photographer/cameraperson to attend the visit of the Minister of Defence to the
SA Air Force Gymnasium, Thaba Tshwane on Thursday, 8 January 2009, at 08h40 for
08h50.
Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Danny Shibambo or Lieutenant Colonel Niko Allie
Tel: 012 355 6388 or 012 355 6380
Issued by: Department of Defence
6 January 2009
