STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
HEADQUARTERS
STATEMENT BY SA NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE (SANDF)
HEADQUARTERS PRETORIA: 2009 MILITARY SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM INTAKES
Date of Release: 31 December 2008
Embargo: None
The rejuvenation of the South African Nation
Defence Force (SANDF) will reach yet another
milestone when about 5452 recruits join the
SANDF in January 2009. This follows a successful
recruitment of young, fit, healthy and deserving
South Africans into the Military Skills
Development System (MSDS).
During the period 6 to 16 January 2009,
successful recruits will assemble at different
points in the country before being transported
to the various training institutions of the four
Arms of Service, (SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy
and SA Military Health Service) of the SANDF to
begin their Basic Military Training.
The aim of the MSDS is two-fold, namely; to
enhance the SANDF’s mission readiness through
the systematic rejuvenation of its human
resource composition. This is done through
annual intakes of young, fit and healthy members
of South Africa's population.
Secondly, the MSDS serves as a feeder system
for the Defence Reserves and seeks to provide
scarce skills to the youth of the country to
enable them to contribute meaningfully to the
growth of its economy.
Subsequent to their Basic Military Training,
deserving MSDS recruits will be afforded an
opportunity to choose training in specific
careers. These include pilots, air space
controllers, engineers, medical practitioners,
naval combat officers, technicians, divers etc.
The MSDS intakes have grown year on year, the
2008 MSDS intake was 4280, which increased to
about 5452 in 2009, and it is expected that by
figure will grow to about 10 000 recruits by
2010.
Should you wish to cover the arrival of the
new recruits please RSVP to Lieutenant Colonel
Danny Shibambo or Lieutenant Colonel Niko Allie
at (012) 355 6388 or 355 6380 for accreditation.
Attached: Dates and reporting venues for 2009
MSDS recruitment.
Ends.
Issued by: Defence Corporate
Communication
(Defence Media Liaison)
Pretoria
Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Danny Shibambo or Lieutenant
Colonel Niko Allie
(012) 355 6388 or 355 6380 | 
