Welcome to you and Military Skills Development System (MSDS) class of 2010. I welcome you to the defence force family. I congratulate you for having made the grade for entry into this profession. Choosing a career in the defence force is the best choice you could made for yourselves. The possibilities are endless here.
We are happy that you have chosen us and an environment has been created where you will feel welcome and get purposeful. The best part is that you are paid even as you leave. Welcome to your future. Open your mind to the possibilities that exist here and understand that we now live in a country where these possibilities are open to all, regardless of colour, race, religion, gender or orientation. Use this opportunity wisely and know that each one of you is but a few of many others who do not have the chance.
You have chosen a career that can be extremely fulfilling, where you can grow to your full potential. You take a responsibility that will ensure the continent growth and development of our democracy. Here we grow men and women who are proud of what they do, proud of their uniform and proud of their country. Here we grow men and women who will take an oath to be exemplary, an oath that puts country and its people before the self. In joining the defence force you have accepted a new identity. You have accepted to abide by the requirements of exceptional discipline, patriotism and extraordinary commitment to the country and its defence. This is the last bastion in the preservation of all those rights that our people enjoy. It is through defence that we project to the world our resolve to protect that which we consider in the national interest.
Indeed, the defence force is a critical index of how we measure ourselves in the world. And this is not about our arsenal, the nature of weapons, or level of defence expenditure. It is about the quality of the people we expect and attract in the defence force.
In short the defence force expects and demands:
- extreme mental and physical endurance
- extraordinary discipline
- extraordinary loyalty and commitment to the people and the country.
In joining the defence force you have entered into the world populated not by ordinary men. It is for this reason that we have decided 16 December as the Armed Forces Day, precisely to capture quality and calibre of men and women in uniform. Our government is very proud of the calibre of men and women in uniform and it is precisely with the interaction of expressing this confidence that we decided last year to commemorate Armed Forces Day as a day that is normally set aside for the celebration of reconciliation.
To capture our sentiment on the defence force I will quote what the President said, “The men and women who served in our militaries rendered unique service because of the immense sacrifice involved. The discipline involved in training and engagement in armed combat, including the possibilities of losing one’s life for gains that are not for individual benefits, compels us as government and the public to feel indebted to them for the contribution and sacrifice for the creation of a democratic South Africa. This is the essence of those of us who are soldiers in any society.
We are acknowledging this on a very special day in our country’s calendar, the National Reconciliation Day. There is no better example of our success as a country of reconciliation as that of our armed forces. Not too long we were saddled with bringing together more than seven different armed forces who were sworn enemies yet today they offer us peace and stability and are the protectors of our hard won democracy. The contribution of our military can therefore not be forgotten nor go unnoticed by this country as their sacrifices have brought us where we are today. Whether we served on opposite sides during the liberation war is history we can never change, but what becomes crucial for all of us is to rebuild this country and work together towards bringing our country’s destiny”.
The salient point captured in the statement by the Commander-in-Chief is that when called to take arms, you can count on the soldiers. But such is their discipline that they will show the same willingness when told to cease all forms of hostilities to embark on a new path and a new struggle of creating a non-racial, non sexist and prosperous society. This is the character of the force that you are now joining. A character that has been woven into the history of the people we are. By taking this decision you are aligning yourself with some of the best elements of our history.
As I have indicated for our part, we will provide with an environment in which you can grow to your full potential. Whatever your desire or calling we can give you that opportunity. Your job is to obey. The military environment requires extraordinary discipline and it will shape you to aspire to that. In a favourite phrase of the Commander in Chief, “discipline is non-negotiable”.
Today you start a new journey in your life, a journey of self sacrifice, dedication, and commitment to protecting your country. You have chosen the best place to continue your career.
I am informed by the Acting Chief of the SANDF, Lt General Matanzima that from here today you are going to different training bases within our four services, namely the SA Army, the South African Airforce, the SA Navy and the SA Military Health Services.These are the four components that constitute the SANDF. Here you will do a full military training and then continue to master other skills.
I am tremendously proud of each and every one of you for having taken this noble decision and can only imagine how excited and anxious you must be for choosing to enter the defence force.
To the parents, I would like to reassure you that you have brought your children to a good family. We are dedicated, disciplined, and highly committed people. You can go home knowing that under the guidance and command of the President of the country your children are in good hands. From this point, you can sit back and watch them mature into responsible citizens.
To the recruits, you have shown that by answering the call of duty you are willing to subject yourselves to the discipline and hard work that comes with it. It also means that you understand that our democracy and the freedoms we enjoy, and sometimes take for granted, are made possible by selflessness and courage of those who are willing to stand up and counted in defence of this country.
Many of you had other options than volunteering to serve your country, yet you patiently waited in line for your opportunity to reach this point. You chose this path to serve this great nation. This South African nation is grateful to you all.
As you stand here before us with your parents, family members, and friends amongst us or in spirit, reflect on their love, guidance, encouragement and support – that has brought you here. None of us would have got here without them and we should at all time be grateful to those who helped us to succeed. They taught you the virtue of hard work, dedication, and service to your country. You can return the favour by conducting yourself with dignity, honour, courage and commitment expected of men and women in uniform.
The MSDS has become a strategic contributor of specialised skills in different industries and other sectors of government. This year we taking over 5 000 young people, when they complete their two year training some will stay with us and some will join the reserve force or find employment in other departments or the private sectors of our economy. Our graduates have become preferred candidates for the aviation industry, maritime, security sector and municipalities. This is due to the special discipline and skills they acquire in the military.
To the parents and the grand mothers who are entrusting us with their children, we will not disappoint.
To the Acting Chief of the SANDF, LT General Matanzima, on behalf of all South Africans and the parents of the MSDS class of 2011, I hand you our children for you to make the best military professionals in the whole world, I will visit them during the year to access progress.Generals and Chiefs of Services take care of them, teach them to be the best leaders of tomorrow, teach them the values of our society and commitment to their country and their democracy.
Welcome to the South African National Defence Force – The shield of our nation! This is the home of the brave, the home of discipline, the home of courage and above all the home of honour.
Welcome.
Enquiries:
Ndivhuwo Mabaya
Cell: 083 645 7838
