Bigger Goodwill Parcels were donated than ever

TCol T.K. Dawes, Officer Commanding of 10 Air Depot, symbolically hands over the 2009 Goodwill Parcel to Ms Busiswe Ngwenya, Chairperson of the SANDF Spouses' Forum and wife of the Chief of the SANDF.

An improved and larger hamper is awaiting the families of SANDF members who are deployed externally, beyond the borders of South Africa. This year more sponsors donated food and beverages for the goodwill parcels than ever before. Massmart co-ordinated sponsorships from Huletts, Simba, Nampak Corrugated, Colgate-Palmolive, Snackwox, Unilever, Oceana Group Limited, Premier Foods, Nestle, Tiger Brands, Kelloggs, Cadbury, Bokomo and Bull Brand to donate food parcels for the families of the deployed SANDF members. >> read more

Royal Thai Armed Forces Chief receives a warm African welcome

The Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Gen Song kitti Jaggabatara, (centre) inspects the parade during the Royal Thai Armed Forces visit at the Defence Headquarters on 03 August 2009

During the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) welcoming parade held on 03 August 2009 at Defence Headquarters the Chief of the Royal Armed Forces, General Song kitti Jaggabatara, assured the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Godfrey Ngwenya, that his contingent received a pleasant. and warm African reception after they landed at the O.R. Tambo International Airport. The main aim of the visit of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and entourage was to learn about the SANDF's role and functions in conflict resolution, particularly in Africa. >> read more

The Artillery Open Day

M5 120 mm mortar in action during the annual Artillery Open Day

An estimated 10 000 people visited 4 Artillery Regiment to witness the power and might of artillery in action. It was time again for the annual Artillery Open Day on 29 August 2009. The day started around 07:30 when the gates opened for the public and, oh boy, did the public answer the call. Vehicles were backed up at one stage for kilometres on the Ventersdorp Road and a constant flow of traffic entered the grounds of 4 Artillery Regiment. The stage was set for one of the biggest Artillery Open Days in our history. >> read more

Ensuring the effectiveness of defence policies

Fltr: Mr Nick Sendall, Chief Director Defence Policy, and Professor Fourie at the course function

The eighth policy writer's course took place at the SA Defence Intelligence College from 27 July to 7 August 2009. Forty-five learners, of which some are new to the policy writing environment, were given an opportunity to learn and fine-tune their policy writing skills, confirmed Mr Nick Sendall, the Chief Director Defence Policy in his opening address. The course addressed the needs of the Department by improving service delivery with the limited resources. The programme has been very popular in the past and to date 443 officials in the DOD and other state departments have been trained as policy writers. Mr Sendall acclaimed policy writing as a "science  and an art" that has many steps, principles and pitfalls. The course deals mainly with the "science" of policy writing but, "the art" of policy writing is perfected only through extensive practice. > read more

Her winning formula is unmatched

Brig Gen Marthie Visser, the newly promoted Director of Corporate Communication in the Department of Defence

Although females make up more than half the population of South Africa and the world, women and girls have endured discrimination in most societies for thousands of years. In the past, their husbands or fathers treated them as property, they could not own land, and they could not vote or go to school. They were also subjected to beatings and abuse and could not do anything about it. Fortunately that is, however, not the case with the Department of Defence (DOD), specifically within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Inspired by its slogan " An employer of choice", the DOD has a firm belief in empowering deserving female personnel to occupy powerful positions. One such is Brig Gen Marthie Visser, recently promoted to the post of Director Corporate Communication (DCC). Brig Gen Visser is testimony to the fact that the ability to hold a job should not depend on the arrangement of the body's chromosomes, but on the abilities and capabilities of the person as well as on a strong character. >> read more

Annual Report

FY2008/09

DOD Strategic Business Plan
FY2009/10 to FY2011/12