Notes for Minister of Defence Honourable Lekota at the "Breaking of the Soil" ceremony for the South African Army Palliative Care Centre (Hospice), Lenasia

Programme Director
Chief of the South African Army Lieutenant-General Shoke
Surgeon General Lieutenant-General V.J Ramlakan
Generals and Flag Officers,
Senior Officers, Officers,
Warrant Officers,
Non-commissioned Officers,
Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Three years ago the Chief of the SA Army and the Surgeon-General thought of an idea of creating an ideal environment to care for members of our Defence Force and their families who were affected and suffered from terminal diseases. Today we are all gathered here to witness that dream coming true with the breaking of the soil ceremony for the Palliative Care Centre - Hospice. Caring for the well-being of the men and women in our defence force is one of the most important things that make us a professional institution.

The decision to construct the South African Army Hospice in Lenasia Military Base that will provide a Palliative Care Centre for South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members and their families was to ensure that there was a facility that could provide specialised attention to those living in close proximity to the base.

This was made after the SA Military Health Service and SA Army undertook a comprehensive study to ascertain the feasibility and operational effectiveness of establishing the service at the base.

In as much as we want to ensure that our soldiers are healthy and fit at all times we, are duty bound to ensure that an environment is created should members' health fail them. Thus this event is very important in our quest to care for all our members in the manner that is humanly possible.

The dream of providing our members and their families with a care centre has been upper most in the minds of the leadership of the South African National Defence Force and I am pleased that today I am part of those witnessing this ceremony.

Not only are we here for the breaking of the soil for the centre but we are going to be introduced to the first maintenance and repair capability of the South African National Defence Force which will be employed to refurbish our facilities in the Department of Defence.

This Maintenance and Repair Capability in the Department of Defence (DoD) has been created to ensure that our facilities are maintained and kept in proper conditions through the DoD Works Regiment.

The construction of the hospice is a project that will be undertaken by members of the South African National Defence Force themselves, who will form the nucleus of the maintenance and repair capability in the DoD through the Works Regiment made up of our soldiers.

The creation of the Works Regiment has come about at a time when our facilities throughout the country are in dire need for maintenance and repair and it is our belief that by creating such a capability within our environment we will be able to keep these facilities in good condition and be able to ensure that they last longer.

It has been my view that the National Defence Force can and is capable to develop such a capability within our environment. Today we are indeed realising that goal. It is imperative that such a capability must be created so as to enable us to depend on ourselves in the maintenance of the many and country-wide facilities that the DoD owns.

It is through this initiative that we will begin to create a pool of people within the DoD who will be able to repair and maintain our buildings and other facilities thus ensuring that at all time our buildings and other facilities are at an acceptable standard.

This process will begin to address the skills shortage in the DoD, thus allowing us to embark on a process of re-skilling and training our members in the required discipline of built environment.

The men and women within our ranks that have taken up the challenge of re-skilling themselves with the requisite skills in the built environment will form part of the DoD Works Regiment. This is part of our contribution to the required scarce skills in our country, in particular the area of artisans.

Thus, the DoD Works Regiment must be seen as part of our strategy to enhance the national initiative of ASGISA and JIPSA in re-skilling defence personnel for the creation of the required skills that can be deployed throughout the entire Department of Defence and the country.

The building of the palliative care centre through the works regiment is for us an appropriate humanitarian contribution to our soldiers and their families. This initiative would not have come to fruition without the generous contribution of our industries in the built environment who have offered their expertise and time to the DoD.

The contribution of industry offers our people a chance to develop themselves in various fields and this cannot go unnoticed by all of us gathered here today. It is with much appreciation that we are reaping the fruits of the private public partnership through this initiative.

The cooperation between ourselves and the construction industry through the Works Regiment will ensure that we continue to build a large pool of skills in this area, allowing our members to gain practical and valuable experience which can be utilised throughout the country.

This cooperation proves that partnership between government and the private sector can yield results which would be beneficiary to our country and its skills base, as required by the economy.

What we are witnessing today is a small step in the right direction, of not only providing the much needed care facility in our environment but also contributing directly to the development and growing the much needed skills base with the DoD Works Regiment.

Furthermore, this offers our members who seek alternative careers an opportunity to develop themselves in the various fields that will have a positive impact in their lives thus allowing them to take their destiny into their own hands.

May I once again congratulate General Shoke and General Ramlakan for their contribution to this initiative and all those who continue to contribute in this development, in particular the construction industry and hope that this is not the end, but the beginning of bigger thinks to come.

Ke a leboga
Bae dankie
Thank you