The real weakness in the SANDF, and it's not a shortage of money
'The nature of military work relies on the availability of young people. In a typical military hierarchical personnel system, most of them must be out by age 30'
Much has been said about the size of South Africa’s defence budget, the tension between commitments and capabilities, and the need to arrest the decline in defence. Despite the fact that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is still a major player in Southern Africa, it has real problems. For one, directing vital peacekeeping funds, which should be part of the defence budget, away from the military to the national budget, is a major problem. But, it’s time for the SANDF to face some serious realities. Firstly, it should not place its hope in the rollout of the current Defence Review. The review doesn’t provide an honest outline of the threats and vulnerabilities facing the country, defence capabilities needed, military organisation or the cost to taxpayers.
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