Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, and hon members, the UDM supports Budget Vote 21. [Applause.] It is a privilege and an honour to participate in this debate. For the record, I am not a member of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, nor is the UDM represented in the committee. However, my interest has been occasioned by my appointment to the Interim National Defence Force Service Commission where I am volunteering my services. I am honoured that the Minister extended this invitation to me to serve on the commission. [Applause.]
In today's debate I am not representing the commission; suffice it to say that the commission has interacted with the Minister and the portfolio committee on its mandate. I am sure that the House has taken note of the public debate about the commission's work.
It is worth recalling that the 1998 South African Defence Review placed more emphasis on social security investment than military hardware. Investments that should have been made to enable real defence force priorities, such as training, relevant equipment and improved conditions of service were neglected. Now these funding priorities are coming back to haunt the Defence Force. An illustration of the problem has been the seeming inability of the state in the past 15 years to protect our borders from illegal entry by criminal elements, which has resulted in the regular reports of violent robberies involving them.
If we analyse media reports and the complaints by the Minister in the recent past, it is clear that, as a result of the arms deal transaction, the department is struggling to convince the National Treasury to allocate more funds for urgent priorities such as relevant equipment, personnel transport and improved conditions of service. There is a funding deficit for the SA National Defence Force, which Cabinet needs to address urgently, so that the department can be in a proper state of readiness.
The steady neglect of the above-mentioned priorities has also had a deeply negative impact on the morale of SANDF members. We can all remember the scenes of protesting soldiers outside the Union Buildings. That should be a wake-up call. However, there is a misperception that the Interim National Defence Force Service Commission is investigating that incident directly, including whether there is a need for unionisation within the SANDF. In fact, the commission is not investigating that matter and the public is yet to be informed of the specifics of that incident.
One thing that we cannot avoid is that South Africa is now playing an international security role and will soon be returning as a member of the United Nations Security Council. This implies far greater investment in the correct equipment and training for SANDF personnel to maintain a high standard of professionalism.
On the other hand, we noticed the migration of experienced former SA Defence Force, Azanian People's Liberation Army; Apla; uMkhonto weSizwe; Ciskei Defence Force; Bophuthatswana Defence Force; Transkei Defence Force; Venda Defence Force, etc, soldiers towards retirement. This has been coupled with well-documented reports of a skills flight to the private sector. The orientation and integration process that started in 1994 was always going to be challenging because of the different approaches to the military profession by the different armed forces.
The emphasis must now be on investing in new future commanders who will be able to lead the SANDF in its modern responsibilities. Such an emphasis implies an intensification of training and funding allocated for this purpose, both internally as well as in collaboration with friendly armed forces.
Finally, another matter that is of concern is the state of the South African military industry. Despite South Africa's long history of advanced military manufacturing on the continent and our extensive participation in peacekeeping operations, it is disheartening to see how little of our local military hardware, such as armed personnel carriers, is used abroad. It does not serve our national interest to be viewed as a Father Christmas who sponsors peacekeeping operations, but does not actively promote the products of our local manufacturers for this purpose.
Ngoko ke, xa sikukhuthaza Mphathiswa sithi kule nto yokuqeqesha ulutsha uze ube ngathi uyayithengisa kakuhle kwaye ulwenze uphando. Abantu abaza kuyiphikisa ngabo bangalwaziyo olu bizo. Ukuqeqeshwa kolutsha kuza kunceda ekukhuthazeni isimilo kulo olu lutsha. Kwaye kufuneka nezifundo ezizakufakwa phaya zibe zezobuthanda-zwe. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[Therefore, when we encourage you, Minister, we say you must advertise the youth training as much as you can and conduct some research. People who will oppose this are those who are not familiar with this call. Youth training will help encourage good behaviour, and the lessons to be given should be on patriotism.]