STATEMENT BY SA NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE (SANDF) HEADQUARTERS PRETORIA: 2007 MILITARY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM INTAKES

Date of Release: Thursday, 10 January 2007
Embargo: None

The rejuvenation of the South African Nation Defence Force got a shot in the arm this year when 4518 young deserving healthy and fit South Africans of all races, answered a call to make the Department of Defence their employer of choice. 3969 recruits have already reported at 3 South African Infantry Battalion in Kimberly in the Northern Cape, South African Army Infantry School in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape and at the South African Air Force Gymnasium in Pretoria to start with their basic military training. Some remaining recruits reported today (11 January 2007) at Naval Gymnasium in Saldhana and the rest will report on 28 January 2007 at the South African Military Health Services Training Formation in Pretoria.

The Military Skills Development System was started in 2003 to ensure the enhancement of the SANDF’s mission readiness through the systematic rejuvenation of its human resource composition through yearly intakes of the country’s youth. The MSDS also ensures a continuous provision of personnel to the SANDF Reserves. This system also provides the youth with skills and employment opportunities.

Supporting the MSDS is the Youth Foundation Training Programme which was launched in 2001 as a vehicle to ensure continuous supply of competent personnel in specialist musterings such as engineering, pilots, doctors, dentist and naval combat officers among others. This program provides school leavers from previously disadvantaged communities with an opportunity to upgrade their matric subjects in Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology and Geography.

For the current year (2007) a group of 250 will join the Department of Defence under the Youth Foundation Training Programme:

• SA Army 3667
  • 3 SA Infantry Battalion (2438) – 08 January 2007
  • SA Army Infantry School (1229) – 10 January 2007
• SA Air Force 302
  • SA Air Force Gymnasium (302) – 10 January 2007
• SA Navy 296
  • SAS Saldanha (296) – 12 January 2007
• SA Military Health Services 253
  • SAMHS Training Formation (253) - 29 January 2007

A national recruitment drive for the 2008 MSDS intakes will start in March 2007.

ENDS

Issued by: SA Department of Defence
SA National Defence Force Headquarters
(Defence Corporate Communication)
Private bag x 161
Pretoria
0001

Enquiries: Mr Sam Mkhwanazi
Telephone: (012) 355-6123
083 628 0858