Occasional Paper

Part Time Forces and the Future of the SANDF

“The composition and structuring of the SA Army, is part of the vision for national defence – an issue on which national consensus is still to be reached. That there will be both part time and full-time
components are confirmed in the Interim Constitution. That the part time component brings the SA Army closer to the community and can thus contribute to nation- building by adding value to its people, as well as an increased level of security, are also confirmed. However, it is also important to note that rationalisation will play a role in the near future. The fact cannot be ignored that the process will ultimately mean a smaller SA Army and that the composition and structure of the full time and part-time components will be affected.”