Chairperson, officials from the department, Members of Parliament, military veterans in the gallery, ladies and gentlemen, let me thank you all for attending this very important debate in which, in my maiden speech, I will focus mainly on the strengthening of Defence peacekeeping assistance in Africa and the diaspora within the constraints of Budget Vote 19.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the hon Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla on their appointment. We wish them well, and we look forward to working together.
Let me first come to the issue raised by Mr Maynier on the state of readiness. I know that you always raise this matter in the portfolio committee. Let me just allay your fears by saying that South Africa is not under any threat whatsoever at the moment. As a matter of fact, we are a friendly nation. We have made many friends across the world unlike the previous regime that was very worried about combat-readiness because of the enemies that it created. [Applause.]
Let me render my support for this budget. President Jacob Zuma mentioned in his state of the nation address recently that we, as a nation, have committed ourselves to local, regional and international peace and development. We, as a nation, have committed ourselves to international law, sovereignty and multilateralism - that our country is part of the world of nations.
Most importantly, we have committed ourselves to building peace and friendship with progressive forces and the world as the Freedom Charter clearly stipulates. It is absolutely for this reason that more financial resources need to be allocated to this very important department, which has the huge task of ensuring that not only are the above commitments met, but also that all human resources within the Defence Force, namely Air Force personnel, landward defence personnel, military health support, maritime defence, administration, force employment and defence intelligence, are effectively dealt with.
With the reconfiguration of the Department of Finance in terms of military veterans, I want to call upon the National Treasury to ensure efficient allocation of funds to ensure the welfare of those men and women who not only contributed to this new democratic dispensation which we all enjoy today, but who are also heroes and heroines of our revolution.
It is a known fact that SA National Defence Force participation in peacekeeping operations continues to bring about hope in the region and the continent. The current situation has also resulted in some operations far exceeding the initial anticipated level of involvement.
As a result, the department has to maintain a sense of balance between preparing to defend the country and its people and increasingly getting involved in peace operations. This has had an adverse effect on the ability of the SA National Defence Force to maintain and sustain certain capabilities due to budget constraints. It must be noted, though, that the gap between the Defence policy, the allocated budget, the recurring reprioritisation of activities and the reallocation of funds inevitably has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the Department of Defence and the combat-readiness of the department.
The department reports a need for a suitable strategic position to guide its Africa Agenda. It supports the Department of International Relations and Co-operation's review of the White Paper on peace missions, among other things. In conclusion, working together with the region and the continent in peacekeeping, we can ensure poverty eradication, peace, stability and prosperity for all Africans on the continent. I thank you. [Applause.]