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6 January 2009

The Minister of Defence, Mr Charles Nqakula will on Thursday, 8 January 2009, visit with over 300 new South African Air Force Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruits at the South African Air Force Gymnasium in Thaba Tshwane.

This group forms part of the approximately 5 452 new MSDS recruits that will assemble countrywide from 6 to 16 January 2009. Once assembled they will be transported to the various training institutions of the four Arms of Service, (SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy and SA Military Health Service) of the SANDF to begin their basic military training.

The aim of the MSDS is two-fold, namely to enhance the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) mission readiness through the systematic rejuvenation of its human resource composition. This is done through annual intakes of young, fit and healthy members of South Africa's population.

Secondly, the MSDS serves as a feeder system for the defence reserves and seeks to provide scarce skills to the youth of the country to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the growth of its economy.

Subsequent to their basic military training, deserving MSDS recruits will be afforded an opportunity to choose training in specific careers. These include pilots, air space controllers, engineers, medical practitioners, naval combat officers, technicians, divers etc.

The MSDS intakes have grown year on year: the 2008 MSDS intake was 4 280, which increased to about 5 452 in 2009 and it is expected that the figure will grow to about 10 000 recruits by 2010.

You are hereby cordially invited to send a journalist and/or a photographer/cameraperson to attend the visit of the Minister of Defence to the SA Air Force Gymnasium, Thaba Tshwane on Thursday, 8 January 2009, at 08h40 for 08h50.

Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Danny Shibambo or Lieutenant Colonel Niko Allie
Tel: 012 355 6388 or 012 355 6380

Issued by: Department of Defence
6 January 2009