08 June 2004
As stated in its constitution, the Civic Education Evaluation and Advisory Board, I quote! "A Civic Education Programme (CEP), has been developed for the Department of Defence (DOD) with the object of instilling respect amongst members and employees
Of the DOD with the values of a democratic South Africa through appropriate education and training. The values enshrined in the programme [themselves] derive principally from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and include respect for human rights, the rights and duties of soldiers, the rule of law, international law, political non- partisanship, non discrimination, and civil supremacy over the armed forces." For we believe and accordingly endorse the preamble of our Constitution that starts as follows:
"We, the people of South Africa, Recognise the injustices of our past; Honour those who suffered for injustice and freedom in our land; Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity."(P1 Constitution of S.A.: 1996)
We know that in our diversity, there are issues of Language, Culture, Heritage, Military culture, (etc.) Civic Education is therefore meant to melt soldiers into one. This is one of the most important fundamental cornerstones on which our Defence.
Force is built. These values need to be understood and upheld by our Defence Force, in its entirety be it:
And the Civil- Military relations in SA covers the F F
Honourable Members and the public out there, as we move and live in a democratic society, military professionalism is becoming more and more important. Military professionalism becomes relevant to the sustenance of our democracy. The supremacy of the civilian control over the soldiers emanates from hard experiences; the experiences of the loss of lives as a result of the outbreak of the First World War in 1949 and the subsequent Cold War. That is where the right thinking leaders of the world started thinking of the civil control over the military force. The need for politicians to make sure those soldiers becomes protectors of humanity.
Conclusion:
To conclude, firstly we should pause to think about how these men & women end their careers. They too need to apply their thoughts on how they want to end their lives. What career path will they like to follow beyond their military career, because as a soldier you are prime to the Defence as long as you are less than 45yrs. of age.
Correctly so because the Defence Force require young, energetic and fit bodies which dictates on men and women in armed forces while in service of the Defence Force. Thus the need of men and women in uniform to equip themselves on skills to survive as and when they leave their soldiering career to integrate into civilian life. Hence the relevance of the Service Corps-, which was established to provide alternative skills for soldiers, when time to civilise come.
The Service Corps in its recommendation to Parliament last year (2003), put a recommendation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence (17 September 2003) for the need of the promulgation of the National Service Corps Act. The envisaged legislation will facilitate the institutionalisation of the Service Corps. Thus this agues House need to ready itself for this obligation- to look after the welfare of our Defence while in service of the country and beyond.
Lastly! June 16
As we are having this debate today eight days away from the commemoration of June 16, which led to this month declared a Youth Month, those fallen heroes and heroines we shall not forget and we Salute them. This month is indeed a revolutionary in SA. May I also pay tribute to all progressive forces and the ANC in particular for the visionary leadership which led to the adoption of the Freedom Charter at Klipspruit 26 June 1955.
I THANK YOU.