Question NW473 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
25 April 2016 - NW473
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to her 2015 Budget Speech, where she highlighted the fact that there are too few white individuals in the SA National Defence Force and indicated that a robust recruitment programme will be embarked on to rectify the demographics, (a) what are the criteria for the appointment of white recruits, (b) how many applications were received and (c) how many of the specified recruits who applied were subsequently appointed; (2) whether any policy is in place which requires a minimum level of education of new recruits; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons for not (a) responding to the applications of white candidates with A-aggregates on their national senior certificates and (b) appointing white applicants with A-aggregates on their National Senior Certificates?
Reply:
1. (a) An effort was made to encourage white candidates to apply through media reports encouraging them to apply and by extending application dates to get a broader pool of candidates.
(b) 405 MSDS applications were received
(c) 99 white candidates were appointed and are undergoing Basic Military Training at the different training institutions
2. Yes, there is a Revised Implementation Instruction on the Military Skills Development System (DS/CDHRPP/DSS/R/104/31/2/1 dated 05 December 2003 ) in place which spells minimum level of education of new recruits and the Services have in addition own specific requirements which are reflected on their application forms.
(a) The SA Army did not use specific criteria to appoint white candidates. The SA Navy selected applicants that had Mathematics and Science with the minimum level of 3 and above for both subjects.
(b) The SAMHS appointed 18 white candidates with A aggregate and 15 with B-aggregate whereas 33 white candidates with A-aggregate could not be utilised as they were awaiting their Grade 12 results. The SA Army does not have specific criteria in appointing white candidates. Out of the 235 that the SA Army invited for the selection board process 124 reported and 111 did not. 49 white candidates did not meet the criteria in the SA Army. The SA Navy selected white candidates with level 3 and above in both Maths and Science on their National Senior Certificates.