1. Introduction

I would like to begin by recognizing an important milestone in the establishment of the South African National Defence Force.

Commander Handsome Matsane recently took command of the SAS Queen Modjadji, one of the submarines operated by the South African Navy.

He is one of only 34 South African submarine captains; one of 1060 qualified South African submariners; but most importantly, he is the first black South African submarine captain.

This is a huge achievement for the Defence Force, given our country’s history, and should be celebrated – not just by all of us here today – but indeed by all South Africans.

Commander Handsome Matsane represents everything that is good about the South African National Defence Force.

We would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the soldiers, sailors, airmen (and women) and medics who serve in the Defence Force.

Whether you are in the South African Army, the South African Air Force, the South African Navy or the South African Military Health Service, we say thank you, thank you, thank you for your service to our country.

I would, of course, also like to recognize the Honourable Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, who is - thankfully - seated two-and-a-half swords lengths away from me.

I feel more secure, compared to last year, when the minister was seated a mere two-and-a-half handbags lengths from me.

That is because, on at least one occasion, the minister clobbered an opposition member with her handbag.

Though I suspect the minister would have liked to clobber me last year for suggesting that she scale back her military flights and try a little “chicken-or-beef”, from time-to-time, on South African Airways.

I would suggest that the minister sit back, stay calm, listen and try not to blow a political gasket, as she did last year.

2. Defence Crisis

2.1 Capability Gaps

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has never been briefed on the military preparedness of the Defence Force.

We do not know enough about the “capability gaps” which exist in the Defence Force.

But we do know enough to suggest that, in the unlikely event of a conventional threat, President Jacob Zuma will require a big white flag to wave from the Union Buildings.

Because the current state of the Defence Force’s military preparedness leaves the President with only one possible course of action, in the event of a conventional attack, and that is: “surrender”.

Thankfully, there is no prospect of a conventional threat to South Africa in the foreseeable future.

2.2 Underfunding

We are used to the tired old argument that the “capability gaps” in the Defence Force exist because of underfunding.

However, the problem is not simply underfunding, but often a failure to properly prioritize funding.

First, 50.6% of the entire Defence Force budget will be spent on “compensation of employees”, many of whom are surplus to the needs of the Defence Force.

The situation is even worse at service level: 65.5% of the South African Army’s budget; 72.5% of the South African Air Force’s budget; and 58.9% of the South African Navy’s budget will be spent on “compensation of employees”.

Second, there is an enormous amount of wasteful expenditure in the Defence Force.

We will spend, for example, R197 million on more than 30 Defence Attachés, including a new Defence Attaché in Cuba, the minister’s favourite island in the Caribbean.

Third, there is a great deal of frivolous expenditure in the Defence Force.

The South African Air Force, for example, which cannot afford to operate its Gripen fighter jets, has spent more than R3 million on “gardening services” since 2009.

Just to be clear, that was “gardening services” - not “guarding services”.

In the end, the operating budget of the Defence Force has been stripped to the bone.

2.3 “Armed Welfare”

So, it should come as no surprise that our soldiers are in the barracks, not on the border; our aircraft are in hangers, not in the air; and our ships are in harbour, not at sea.

A recent incident, which exploded on social networks, demonstrates the decline in the Defence Force.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ruth Ndayi, a South African Air Force officer, recently went shopping in full uniform, wearing a pair of pink slippers.

She is a disgrace to the thousands of loyal, professional and disciplined members of the Defence Force.

In the end, unless drastic action is taken, the Defence Force is in danger of becoming an “armed welfare service”.

2.4 Defence Review

That is why the Defence Review, being conducted by Roelf Meyer and his Defence Review committee, is so vital to the future of the Defence Force.

I recall saying some time ago that never in the history of defence policy-making had so many, worked for so long, to produce so little.

Well, I am pleased that the 423-page “consultative draft” of the Defence Review has finally been produced.

And I look forward to interacting with the Defence Review team as we work together to produce the final draft of the South African Defence Review 2012.

In the end, if the Defence Review does not succeed, the Defence Force will not succeed.

3. Political Monster

But to succeed we need to have a proper debate on defence policy.

However, this is going to be difficult in the current political climate.

3.1 Political War

Because for the past three years the minister has been engaged in a “political war” with Parliament.