Bringing Black Volunteers into the Part-Time Forces

This report, written by Mathews Phosa, premier of Mpumalanga province, advocates for the integration of black volunteers into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) part-time forces. Using a pilot program in Mpumalanga as a model, Phosa argues that a needs-driven, part-time volunteer system enhances community security, fosters stability, and develops disciplined citizens capable of contributing to the country's economic growth and reconstruction.

• The author argues that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) should transition toward an affordable and flexible manpower system that prioritizes community interests and encourages citizens to sacrifice time to protect their families, communities, and national borders.
• A pilot volunteer program in Mpumalanga, launched in 1994, recruited black volunteers from four traditional areas near the Mozambican border to combat lawlessness, including cattle theft, drugs, and weapons smuggling, following the end of the Mozambican civil war in 1993.
• The Mpumalanga volunteer initiative demonstrated operational success: 40 recruits, trained in short intensive courses and equipped with radios, were responsible for arresting over 1,000 illegal immigrants and confiscating firearms, stolen cattle, and dagga since November 1994.
• The volunteer model was expanded in August 1995 to include nature reserves, where game rangers receive military training in patrolling, fieldcraft, advanced musketry, drill, and legal aspects to improve the conservation of endangered species.
• The author posits that SANDF-trained volunteers become disciplined, confident, and loyal citizens who can eventually be absorbed into the business sector, thereby supporting foreign investment and economic growth.

APA

Phosa, M. (1996). Bringing Black Volunteers into the Part-Time Forces. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-1-get-on-parade-restructuring-south-africas-part-time-military-force-for-the-21st-century-edited-by-jakkie-cilliers-/bringing-black-volunteers-into-the-part-time-forces

Chicago

Phosa, Mathews. Bringing Black Volunteers into the Part-Time Forces. Institute for Security Studies, 1996. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-1-get-on-parade-restructuring-south-africas-part-time-military-force-for-the-21st-century-edited-by-jakkie-cilliers-/bringing-black-volunteers-into-the-part-time-forces.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Phosa |first1=Mathews |title=Bringing Black Volunteers into the Part-Time Forces |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=February 1996 |url=https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-1-get-on-parade-restructuring-south-africas-part-time-military-force-for-the-21st-century-edited-by-jakkie-cilliers-/bringing-black-volunteers-into-the-part-time-forces |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{phosa1996bringing, author = {Phosa, Mathews}, title = {{Bringing Black Volunteers into the Part-Time Forces}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {1996}, month = feb, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-1-get-on-parade-restructuring-south-africas-part-time-military-force-for-the-21st-century-edited-by-jakkie-cilliers-/bringing-black-volunteers-into-the-part-time-forces}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }