The increasing exposure to the military aviation world

By: Cpl Ally Rakoma
Photos by Sgt Elias Mahuma and Mr Frans Setlau
Posted 27 September 2012

On Friday, 21 September 2012, pupils from various high schools in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and the Free State and other parts of our country attended the largest African exhibition of air, land and sea capability, the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition (AAD 2012) air show at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.

In view of the significance of the air show, career guidance has been the sole mandate of the youth development programme. The different Services and Divisions within the SANDF participated in career exhibitions and offered information to young people to learn more about the highly specialised avionics, maritime, electronics, engineering, combat, technical and military health occupations. They were exposed to various career opportunities in the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) and specialist musterings.

In addition to this, the SA Air Force Siyandiza Programme team explained the concept of Siyandiza and Young Falcons aviation awareness to the youth to expose them to military aviation and the airborne might of the SA Air Force. The SA Army introduced the youth to Project Young Lions, the innovative and preparatory programme to introduce the youngsters to the SA Army.

With special emphasis on the military high-tech science and aerospace defence technology, learners were enlightened about science engineering and technology based military careers and they realised the necessity of mathematics and science in these careers.

“This was a true testimony that the SANDF is alive with possibilities. The exhibitions and career guidance have been very exciting and educational. It has been one of those opportunities that everybody would have loved to have had. We look forward with hope to the future”, said Moses Shibambo (16) Grade 10 learner from Die Wilge Hoer Skool.