CONTINUITY IN CHANGE

This report, based on a 1998 conference, examines the transformation of the South African Army as it transitions from the apartheid-era South African Defence Force (SADF) to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It details the challenges of integrating seven former adversarial forces, achieving racial representivity across all ranks, and shifting toward a 'jointness' operational model. The document outlines strategic shifts in logistics—moving from 'just-in-case' to 'just-in-time' systems—and the implementation of civic education and competency-based training to professionalize the force under civilian control.

• The South African Army is undergoing a complex integration process involving seven different forces: the former SADF, the TBVC forces (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda, and Ciskei), Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the Azanian Peoples-Liberation Army (APLA), and the incorporated Kwa-Zulu Self-Protection Force (KZSPF).
• There is a significant racial disparity in the Army's leadership ranks as of May 1998. While the overall force is 71% African, white officers disproportionately dominate senior ranks; for example, only 13 out of 40 brigadier generals are black, and only 32 out of 241 colonels are black.
• The Department of Defence is implementing a 'jointness' concept to eliminate duplication and maximize resources. This involves a clear separation between the arms of service, which are responsible for providing combat-ready forces, and the Chief of Joint Operations, who is responsible for the employment of those forces.
• The SA Army is transitioning its logistical support from a 'just-in-case' model, characterized by large 'reserves on wheels' (B echelons), to a 'just-in-time' cargo drop distribution system to reduce inventories and costs.
• To reduce personnel costs and meet budget constraints, the Army aims to reduce its strength from approximately 59,000 to about 42,000 by the 2000/01 financial year using natural attrition, non-renewal of contracts, voluntary severance, and employer-initiated retrenchment.
• A civic education programme has been established to instill democratic values in military personnel, focusing on five areas: the Constitution and Bill of Rights, civil-military relations, international humanitarian law, respect for cultural diversity, and military professionalism.
• The SA Army is adopting a competency-based approach to personnel development, utilizing assessment centres and Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) to improve the skills of members, particularly those from rural areas with limited prior schooling.
• The SANDF has adopted a primarily defensive orientation, viewing military force as a last resort. Its core capabilities are designed for deterrence, international peace support operations, and secondary functions such as disaster relief and support to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• Regional security in Southern Africa is advocated as a collective effort based on consensus and equitable arrangements, rather than being dominated by a regional power like South Africa. Proposed confidence-building measures include information exchanges, joint training, and formal notification of military activity.

APA

Cilliers, J. (1998). CONTINUITY IN CHANGE. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono26.pdf

Chicago

Cilliers, Jakkie. CONTINUITY IN CHANGE. Institute for Security Studies, 1998. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono26.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cilliers |first1=Jakkie |title=CONTINUITY IN CHANGE |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=August 1998 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono26.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cilliers1998continuity, author = {Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{CONTINUITY IN CHANGE}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {1998}, month = aug, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono26.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }