Part II: defence policy and strategy.

1. INTRODUCTION

During the period from 2001 to 2007 there have, with the exception of the Defence Act, 2002 and Military Strategy, 2002, been no major policy publications on security such as the South African White Paper on Defence 1996 and the South African Defence Review 1998 (both are currently under review). This does not mean that no important policy or strategic statements were made, but they appeared in speeches, defence budget votes and documentation covering specific policy issues and strategic themes.

The themes which have been constant as regards defence policy and which are included in the strategies for execution are the following:

-- Transformation, which includes the recruiting of young soldiers, but which is largely aimed at Africanisation.

-- To withdraw internally and deploy in Africa for peace support operations, more specifically for peacekeeping tasks. Recently, however, it has been argued that the SANDF must be available for internal tasking--since lawlessness and civil disobedience require it.

-- Gender equality, despite the problems it encounters in the combat arms. This policy is not expected to change soon.

-- The re-establishment of the Reserve Force, particularly the Army Reserve.