Since 2002 the Joint Senior Command and Staff Programme was annually presented at the South African National War College (SANWC) in Pretoria. This qualification was from 2008 to 2018 accredited with the Safety and Security Seta (SASSETA) as an NQF level 7 diploma in Defence Studies. In 2019 the qualification migrated to the Council on Higher Education as an NQF level 8, postgraduate diploma in Defence Studies. The aim of the qualification is to enable graduates to function as commanders and staff officers on the operational level of war (the planning and conduct of major operations and campaigns) to be utilised within the African battle space. It is also an entry requirement for the highest National Defence Force qualification, the Security and Defence Study Programme, presented at the South African National Defence College in Thaba Tshwane. This programme is accredited on NQF level 9, a master’s degree in Defence Studies. The credibility of the academic subject disciplines presented on the programme is an important facet of education and the development of problem-solving skills. Deep learning also develops a critical mindset in students with the approach that the educator’s knowledge is but an expression of current scientific research results, something that can change. The main research question is, to what extent did deep learning take place in the academic subjects on the programme of 2018? Secondly, why did the learning process during 2018 take place the way that it did? The third question is, what can be done to improve the level of deep learning as it stands to reason that it will contribute to the credibility of the qualification in a postgraduate dispensation? The research focused on the phases of the learning process, curriculum design, facilitation and assessment of selected subjects and educational quality assurance. The research findings were that the curriculum design only partially complied with the tenets of deep learning and the adherence to deep learning during the facilitation, and assessment processes were incidental. In accordance with the third research question, it is recommended that the learning process can be improved if some aspects of the programme are redesigned. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / pt2021 / Humanities Education / PhD / Unrestricted

In a rapidly changing and competitive world organisations need to develop and improve their performance continuously to ensure a competitive advantage. Organisations need to determine their current status of performance constantly and identify organisational strengths and areas where improvements can be made. Periodic organisational self-assessments are therefore required to measure current management and operations policies, practices and procedures, in order to enhance overall business performance rather than solely concentrating on the quality of products or services. Traditionally, external inspections were more commonly used by educational and training institutions for the evaluation of institution and learner performance. These institutions are today taking part in a growing drive for internal self-evaluation, arising from the desire of institutions and Education, Training and Development (ETD) practitioners to assess their own performances. Self-assessment as part of an endeavour to sustain continuous improvement is therefore also appropriate for ETD providers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). A new defence dispensation and a changing ETD environment in South Africa have created new demands on ETD providers in the SANDF. Although training units within the SANDF may function in a unique military context, national legislation relevant to ETD and the latest approach of openness and transparency into matters of the Department imply that military as well as non-military ETD in the SANDF is to be closely aligned with national training and development initiatives. As legislation does not make a distinction between military and private ETD providers in South Africa, most traditionally assumed differences are no longer relevant. A case study explored the appropriateness of conducting organisational self-assessment as component of a Continuous Performance Improvement Strategy and Quality Assurance within the SANDF. The study also investigated the usefulness of a Total Quality Management approach to quality assurance in the ETD environment and the impact of the frameworks used, available assessment instruments and the selected assessment methods on the significance of organisational self-assessment by ETD providers. This study's investigation of the appropriateness and significance of regular organisational self-assessments by training units in the SANDF thus has broader implications, as recommendations are also applicable to other ETD providers. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

In a rapidly changing and competitive world organisations need to develop and improve their performance continuously to ensure a competitive advantage. Organisations need to determine their current status of performance constantly and identify organisational strengths and areas where improvements can be made. Periodic organisational self-assessments are therefore required to measure current management and operations policies, practices and procedures, in order to enhance overall business performance rather than solely concentrating on the quality of products or services. Traditionally, external inspections were more commonly used by educational and training institutions for the evaluation of institution and learner performance. These institutions are today taking part in a growing drive for internal self-evaluation, arising from the desire of institutions and Education, Training and Development (ETD) practitioners to assess their own performances. Self-assessment as part of an endeavour to sustain continuous improvement is therefore also appropriate for ETD providers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). A new defence dispensation and a changing ETD environment in South Africa have created new demands on ETD providers in the SANDF. Although training units within the SANDF may function in a unique military context, national legislation relevant to ETD and the latest approach of openness and transparency into matters of the Department imply that military as well as non-military ETD in the SANDF is to be closely aligned with national training and development initiatives. As legislation does not make a distinction between military and private ETD providers in South Africa, most traditionally assumed differences are no longer relevant. A case study explored the appropriateness of conducting organisational self-assessment as component of a Continuous Performance Improvement Strategy and Quality Assurance within the SANDF. The study also investigated the usefulness of a Total Quality Management approach to quality assurance in the ETD environment and the impact of the frameworks used, available assessment instruments and the selected assessment methods on the significance of organisational self-assessment by ETD providers. This study's investigation of the appropriateness and significance of regular organisational self-assessments by training units in the SANDF thus has broader implications, as recommendations are also applicable to other ETD providers. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The purpose of this study was to examine the life satisfaction of the wives of naval non-commissioned officers living in an isolated military suburb. As little is known about this phenomenon an exploratory design was used. A sample group of 81 wives was selected by means of stratified random sampling. Measuring instruments used were the Heimler Scale of Social Functioning and a needs assessment. The results of the study indicated that although a small majority of the wives experience their lives as satisfactory they have a great deal of frustration. The two largest areas of low satisfaction was work and finances. It seems that these wives have sufficient support systems. The lack of transport seems to be a problem for these wives. The needs assessment identified a great interest in, and a need for certain courses, hobbies, aerobic classes and a daycare centre. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science (Mental Health))

This dissertation is an exploratory study aimed at empirically identifying and examining manifestations of communication barriers in the South African National Defence Force. A convergence model of communication is presented, describing the stages involved when individuals share the same information. The convergence model of communication delineates the relationship among the physical, psychological, and social aspects of communication. Two complementary theorems deduced by Kincaid (1988) from the convergence principle and the basic cybernetic process involved in information processing are applied in the analyses. The theorems specify the conditions under which intercultural communication will lead to convergence between members of different cultures involved. An empirically testable model was developed to collect information about possible communication barriers. The barriers are an indication of the restrictions on communication in the system and therefore indicate the possibility of restricting cultural convergence. / Communication / M.A. (Communication)

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The tendency to use adventure-based training as an intervention medium for the improvement of the self-concept has grown rapidly over the past few years. However, research results on the effect of adventure-based training on participants' self-concepts are very contradictory. Some studies revealed significant positive improvements, while others revealed no significant differences in pre- and post-measures. The effect of adventure training on the self-concept in the military context has so far not yet been investigated in South Africa. A sound self-concept is of critical importance to young career officers, as it enables them to function with self-confidence in both their work environment and their community roles. They enter the military environment as late adolescents, which implies that the successful mastering of specific developmental tasks such as the formation of identity or self-concept, is a prerequisite for their dynamic functioning in the world of work. The aim of this study was to determine whether adventure training can indeed be utilised to enhance the self-concepts and self-efficacy of young career officers in the South African National Defence Force. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test and post-post-test was used to determine the effect of a Ropes Course Development Programme on the self-concepts of young career officers. Subjects for the experimental group were selected from the young career officer population at the Military Academy (n=33) and subjects for the control group were selected from the young career officer population at the SA Army Gymnasium (n=32). Two measuring instruments were administered, during three time intervals, namely the Self-description Questionnaire III and the General Self-efficacy Scale. From the results it can be concluded that the control group did not change much during the eight-week-period of the study. Only three significant withingroup changes occurred, namely in the scores of the mathematical skills selfconcept sub-scale, in the scores of the total academic self-concept and the GSE scale. All three measurements showed a significant increase for the pretest to post-post-test time interval. The experimental group showed a number of changes between pre-test and post-test, as well as pre- and post-test to post-post-test time intervals. The SOOIII sub-scales with declining scores were the participants' self-concept regarding their verbal skills (post- to post-post-test) and academic ability (preand post-test to post-post-test). The total academic self-concept score was also significantly lower from post-test to post-post-test measurement. Scores that were positively affected over time were their self-concepts regarding their relations with parents (for pre-test to post-test), religion (for pre-test to posttest and maintained to post-post- test), the total non-academic self-concept (pre- to post-test) and the total general self-concept score (from pre- to posttest). The experimental group did not change with regard to their GSE scores. The most evident between-group differences were observed during the postpost- test on the verbal skills, academic ability, and total academic selfconcept scores (control group> experimental group), and relations with same sex self-concept scores (experimental group> control group). A significant relationship between the total SOOIII score and the GSE scale over the three time periods was observed. Highly significant r-values were obtained for both groups on all but one measurement. The final conclusion is that the Ropes Course Development Programme was not an effective intervention medium to enhance the self-concepts and selfefficacy of young career officers. There is still a need for scientific research to motivate adventure-based programmes as training intervention in the South African military context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die neiging om avontuurgerigte opleiding as ingreep vir die ontwikkeling van die selfkonsep te gebruik, het die afgelope paar jaar ingrypend toegeneem. Navorsingsresultate rakende die invloed van avontuurgerigte opleiding op deelnemers se selfkonsepte is egter teenstrydig. Sekere studies het beduidende positiewe verbeteringe aangedui, terwyl ander weer geen beduidende verskille in voor- en na-toetse getoon het nie. Die uitwerking van avontuuropleiding op die selfkonsep, is tot dusver nie binne militêre konteks in Suid-Afrika ondersoek nie. 'n Positiewe selfkonsep is van kritiese belang vir jong beroepsoffisiere, aangesien dit hulle bemagtig om met selfvertroue in sowel hul werksomgewing as hul gemeenskapsrolle te funksioneer. Hulle betree die militêre omgewing tydens adolessensie, wat impliseer dat die suksesvolle bemeestering van bepaalde ontwikkelingstake soos identiteitsvorming of die vorming van 'n selfkonsep 'n voorvereiste is om effektief in die werksomgewing te funksioneer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of avontuurgerigte opleiding wel gebruik kan word om die selfkonsepte en selfdoeltreffendheid van jong beroepsoffisiere in die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag te bevorder. 'n Kwasi-eksperimentele ontwerp met 'n voortoets, na-toets en na-na-toets is gebruik om die invloed van 'n Toubaan Ontwikkelingsprogram op die selfkonsep en selfdoeltreffendheid van die jong beroepsoffisiere te bepaal. Proefpersone vir die eksperimentele groep is geselekteer vanuit die groep jong beroepsoffisiere by die Militêre Akademie (n=33) en proefpersone vir die kontrolegroep is vanuit die jong beroepsoffisierpopulasie by die SA Leërgimnasium geselekteer (n=32). Twee meetinstrumente is tydens drie geleenthede geadministreer, naamlik die "Self-description Questionnaire III" (SDQIII) en die General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE). Van die resultate kan afgelei word dat die kontrolegroep nie veel verander het tydens die agt weke periode van die studie nie. Slegs drie beduidende binne- groep veranderinge het plaasgevind, naamlik in die wiskundige vaardigheid selfkonsep subskaal, in die totale akademiese selfkonsep en die Algemene Selfdoeltreffendheidtelling. AI drie tellings dui op 'n beduidende toename vir die voor-toets tot na-na-toets tydsinterval. Die eksperimentele groep het 'n beduidende aantal veranderinge getoon tussen voor- en na-toets, sowel as voor- en na-na-toets. Die SDQIII subskale wat 'n afname in tellings getoon het, was die deelnemers se selfkonsepte aangaande hulle verbale vaardighede (na-toets tot na-na-toets) en akademiese vaardigheid (voor en na-toets tot na-na-toets). Die totale akademiese selfkonseptelling was ook beduidend laer tussen die na-toets en na-na-toets meting. Tellings wat positief oor tyd beïnvloed was, was hulle selfkonsepte ten opsigte van verhoudings met ouers (vir voor-toets tot natoets, godsdiens (vir voortoets tot na-toets en in stand gehou tot na-na-toets), die totale nie-akademiese selfkonsep (voor- tot na-toets) en die totale algemene selfkonseptelling (van voor- tot na-toets). Die eksperimentele groep het nie ten opsigte van hulle GSE tellings verskil nie. Die mees klaarblyklike tussen-groep verskille in tellings is waargeneem tydens die na-na-toets met betrekking tot verbale vaardighede, akademiese vermoë, en totale akademiese selfkonseptellings (kontrole groep > eksperimentele groep) en selfkonsep betreffende verhoudinge met dieselfde geslag (eksperimentele groep> kontrole groep). 'n Betekenisvolle verband tussen die SDQIII en die GSE skale is oor die drie tydperke heen waargeneem. Hoogs beduidende r-waardes is vir albei groepe op alle metings waargeneem, met die uitsondering van een meting. Die finale bevinding dui daarop dat die Toubaan Ontwikkelingsprogram nie 'n effektiewe ingreep was om die selfkonsepte en selfdoeltreffendheid van jong beroepsoffisiere te verbeter nie. Daar bly dus steeds 'n behoefte aan wetenskaplik gefundeerde navorsing om die waarde van avontuurgerigte opleidingsprogramme in die Suid-Afrikaanse militêre konteks te motiveer.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The term DERI stands for Defence Evaluation and Research Institute. DERls are strategic institutes, established primarily to provide technological support to the Department of Defence. They are responsible for the cost-effective development, maintenance and application of advanced technologies and concentrate on specific application areas in the South African Defence Force, corresponding to the User Support Teams in the Armament Technology Acquisition Secretariat. The research problem is how to strategically manage such a DERI in terms of vision, mission, goals, structure of organisation, clients, alliances and resources such as funding, personnel, facilities and equipment, to optimally provide the best possible service to the main client, the DoD and in the process ensure the long term sustainability of the DERI. An interview was held with the senior executive manager of each of the five official DERls and also with two very knowledgeable persons on the subject of Defence and Evaluation Research management, with the aim of determining which attributes or factors they deem important in the strategic management of a DERI. The interviews were typed ver batim and all the attributes were included in a questionnaire. A few more attributes determined from literature and discussions with De Wet, were also added. Afterwards the abovementioned managers completed a questionnaire in which they indicated the relative importance of the various attributes. The attributes that scored the highest rating were grouped into clusters and are analysed accordingly. The clusters are as follows: • ''people" cluster since it is about the knowledge, skills and trust of people • ''value-for-money cluster since the attributes are about planning, funding and objectives • "you-have-to-earn-your-survival cluster since it is about disciplines, application of R&D and the right of existence of a DERI All three clusters are enlightened by the comments, remarks, suggestions and concerns raised during the interviews with the senior executive managers. People attributes came out as being the most critical success factor in the strategic management of a DERI. "People" can effectively be divided into two categories - the DERI's employees on the one hand and the clients' employees on the other. Everything concerning people is seen as important namely: training. remuneration, quality service (internal and external), trust, growth and development, communication, Black Economic Empowerment, stakeholder interface, etc. There is a concern about the longer-term survival of the DERls because they are currently situated in two different organisations in two different state departments with different visions, missions and goals. A clear indication of the road ahead should be given as soon as possible. A solution to the integration question would be an independent investigation by people who have no vested interests in the outcome of the decision. Whatever the final answer (one of the two current state departments or a new organisation or the slatus quo), both departments (Arts, Science and Technology and Defence) should not feel endangered and the solution should be a win-win situation for both parties. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DERI is die verkorte vorm vir Defence Evaluation and Research Institute oftewel Evaluasie- en Navorsingsinstituut vir die Weermag. DERI's is strategiese institute wat daargestel is om tegnologiese ondersteuning aan die Departement van Verdediging te bied. DERI's is verantwoordelik vir die koste-effektiewe ontwikkeling, instandhouding en aanwending van gevorderde tegnologiee en fokus op spesifieke toepassingsareas in die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag. Die ondersteuning vind plaas in ooreenstemming met die behoeftes van gebruiker ondersteuningspanne in die Wapen Tegnologie Aanskaffingsekretariaat. Die navorsingsonderwerp is hoe om 'n DERI strategies te bestuur in terme van visie, missie, doelwitte, struktuur van organisasie, kliente en bronne soos befondsing, personeel, fasiliteite en toerusting, Ten einde die bes moontlike diens aan die hoofklient, die Departement van Verdediging, te lewer en terselfdertyd die DERI volhoubaar te maak oor die lang termyn. 'n Onderhoud is gevoer met die senior uitvoerende bestuurder van elke DERI sowel as met twee baie kundige persone op die gebied van Verdedigingsevaluasie en Navorsingsbestuur. Die doel hiervan was om te bepaal watter faktore as die belangrikste in die strategiese bestuur van 'n DERI, beskou word. Die onderhoude is woordeliks getik en al die faktore aangedui, in 'n vraelys opgeneem. 'n Verdere aantal faktore, wat uit literatuurstudies en gesprekke met De Wet verkry is. is ook ingesluit in die vraelys. Die vraelys is aan die betrokke persone gestuur met die versoek om die relatiewe belangrikheid van die faktore aan te dui. Die faktore wat die meeste gewig dra, is in groepe saamgevoeg en sodanig ontleed. Die groeperings is as volg: • "mense" groepering aangesien dit handel oor kennis, vaardighede en onderlinge vertroue tussen mense • "waarde-vir-geld" groepering aangesien dit handel oor beplanning, befondsing en strategiese doelstellings • "moet-jou-oorlewing-verdien" groepering aangesien dit handel oor dissiplines, die toepassing van navorsing en ontwikkeling en die bestaansreg van 'n DERI Die drie groepe word toegelig deur kommentaar, opmerkings en voorstelle van die bestuurders tydens die onderhoude. Die "mens"-faktor is verreweg die belangrikste sukses faktor in die strategiese bestuur van 'n DERI. "Mense" kan in twee kategoriee verdeel word - die DERI se werknemers aan die een kant en die van die klient aan die ander kant. Alle aspekte rakende mense, word beskou as belangrik naamlik: opleiding, vergoeding, kwaliteit van diens (intern sowel as ekstern), vertroue, groei en ontwikkeling, kommunikasie, Swart Ekonomiese bemagtiging, kontak met belangehouers, ensovoorts. Daar bestaan onsekerheid oor die voortbestaan van die DERl's oor die langtermyn as gevolg van die feit dat hulle tans deel is van twee organisasies binne twee verskillende staatsdepartemente. Hierdie departemente het verskillende visies, missies en doelstellings. 'n Aanduiding van die pad vorentoe moet so gou as moontlik verskaf word.

Thesis (PhD (Public Management and Planning ))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The result of this research is an alternative model for leadership character development in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The SANDF reflects the racial and cultural diversity of South Africa as a nation. The need for a unifying leadership-related mechanism for the military milieu in which humane leadership development will flourish, is evident. This statement is based on the premise that no evidence is found that any previous efforts by the SANDF to instil a leadership philosophy or policy as a way of military life was successful. Further shortcomings in the current SANDF leadership development model, apart from the reality that its selection process of officer candidates needs improvement, are the absence of political guidance and participation in the development of its military leaders, as well as emaciated attention to the development of the character side of leaders during officer formative training. The SANDF, unlike the international tendency, has no military leadership institution to ensure that its leadership development policies and practices are based on sound academic research. Such an institution will also ensure that the SANDF stays contemporary in the global field of military leadership development. The shortcomings of the current SANDF Model were identified by progressing through the academic theories on leadership and leadership development to a comparative analysis of leadership development practices in the militaries of Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and the SANDF. This supplied the information needed to propose the Five Point Star Model (FPS Model) for leadership character development in the SANDF. The five components of the FPS Model, which address the shortcomings of the current SANDF Model, are Convergent Leadership, Political Participation, Superior Selection, Interventions for Leadership Character Development, and a Military Leadership Institution. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uitkoms van hierdie navorsing is ’n alternatiewe model wat die tekortkominge in die ontwikkeling van leierskapkarakter in die Suid Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW) aanspreek. Die SANW weerspieël die rasse- en kulturele diversiteit van die Suid Afrikaanse nasie, wat die behoefte aan ‘n samebindende leierskapsverwante meganisme na vore bring. Hierdie stelling is gegrond daarop dat geen bewys, waar die SANW daarin geslaag het om ’n samebindende leierskapsfilosofie of –beleid as ‘n militêre leefwyse te vestig, gevind is om sodoende die militêre milieu te skep waarin mensgerigte leierskap sal floreer nie. Verdere tekortkominge in die huidige Leierskapsontwikkelingsmodel van die SANW, bo en behalwe dat die keuringsproses van kandidaat-offisiere uitgebrei en verbeter moet word, is die afwesigheid van politieke deelname en rigtinggewing waar die ontwikkeling van die land se jong militêre leiers ter sprake is. Te min aandag word ook gewy aan die ontwikkeling van kandidaat-offisiere se karakter of inbors tydens offisiersvorming kursusse. Die internasionale tendens is vir weermagte om ‘n militêre leierskapsinstelling te hê. Die SANW het nie so ‘n instelling om te verseker dat militêre leierskapsontwikkelingsbeleid en -praktyke op behoorlike akademiese navorsing gefundeer is nie. Dit maak dit moeilik om ’n kontemporêre bydrae in die internasionale veld van militêre leierskap te maak. Die wyse waarop die tekortkominge van die huidige SANW Leierskapsontwikkelingsmodel geïdentifiseer is, was om voort te bou op die akademiese teorieë oor leierskap en leierskapsontwikkeling en om ’n vergelykende studie tussen leierskapsontwikkelingspraktyke in die weermagte van Duitsland, Brittanje, Kanada en die SANW te doen. Die vergelykende studie het inligting verskaf om die Vyfpuntster Model vir die ontwikkeling van leierskapkarakter in die SANW voor te stel. Die vyf komponente van die nuwe model spreek die tekortkominge van die huidige SANW Model aan, en die komponente is Konvergerende Leierskap, Politieke Deelhebberskap, Voortreflike Keuring, Intervensies vir Leierskapkarakterontwikkeling, en ‘n Instansie vir Militêre Leierskap.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / 457 Leaves printed single pages, preliminary pages i-xxvii and 429 numberd pages. Includes bibliography. List of figures, List of tables. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: POLICY SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF MILITARY TRAINING IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE Borders in a global economy market exist only to determine the sovereignty of nations. Modern military interventions on the other hand are caught up in a struggle to stabilise international focal points. In the midst of this struggle, is the South Africa National Defence Force, in a process of change on the way to a supportive role to the African Renaissance and an upliftment mandate of the South African society. The South African government is caught in a battle against poverty, illiteracy and unemployment of an abundance of general workers, opposing a shortage of speciality skills measured against the National Qualifications Framework. The National Defence Force in contrast, attempts to create a meaningful military development training policy for the backbone of the National Defence Force, the non-commissioned officer. This military development training policy should not only adhere to economic restrictions of the Defence Budget, but should also acknowledge the potential and skills of this specific group. A literature survey as well as an empirical study of the non-commissioned officer's military development training policy in respect of the different arms of service in the National Defence Force shows that up to 18% of the personnel budget is spent on training. In the midst of this tendency, military development training does not keep up with changing training policy systems in South Africa, and that its effectiveness should therefore be improved in an integrated military developmental training system. The study has found that there are gaps in the military developmental training policy where learners in the South African Army have to meet far more course requirements than their peers in other Arms of the Service. Furthermore, the standard of curricula of the different training courses is not the same. Both these problems could be solved by way of one responsible, joint training department in the National Defence Force.In an emotional protection of a defence force culture, the National Defence Force creates a training budget monster, where seven different training units' supply the same training. According to the different developmental training curriculums, with small exceptions of arms of service specific training, developmental training could easily be presented in one or two separate National Defence Force Units. This idea will support the concept of one force and joint operations. In addition this idea will ensure that the National Defence Force exists within a National Defence Force culture followed by an arm of service culture that is supported by a functional culture. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: BELEIDSTELSELANALISE VAN MILITÊRE OPLEIDING IN DIE SUIDAFRIKAANSE NASIONALE WEERMAG Grense bestaan in ’n globale ekonomiese omgewing slegs ten einde die soewereiniteit van volke te bevestig. Moderne militêre intervensies hierteenoor is gewikkel in ’n stryd om internasionale brandpunte te stabiliseer. Te midde van hierdie stryd is die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag in ’n toetstand van verandering, onderweg na ’n ondersteuningsrol tot die Afrika-Renaissance en opheffingsopdrag van die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering veg teen armoede, ongeletterdheid en werkloosheid wat ’n oorvloed algemene werkers bied, teenoor ’n skaarsste aan spesialisvaardighede, gemeet teen die Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk. Die Nasionale Weermag hierteenoor, poog om vir die ruggraat van die Nasionale Weermag, die Onderoffisier, ’n betekenisvolle militêre ontwikkelingsopleidingbeleid daar te stel. Hierdie ontwikkelingsopleidingsbeleid moet nie slegs aan die ekonomiese beperkings van die Verdedigingsbegroting voldoen nie, maar moet ook aan die ontwikkelingspotensiaal en vaardighede van hierdie groep erkenning verleen. ’n Literatuuroorsig sowel as ’n empiriese ondersoek na die militêre ontwikkelingsopleidingsbeleid van onderoffisiere ten opsigte van die verskillende weermagsdele in die Nasionale Weermag toon dat die Weermag tot 18,2% van die personeelbegroting aan opleiding spandeer. Te midde van hierdie tendens hou militêre ontwikkelingsopleiding nie tred met die veranderende opleidingsbeleidstelsels in Suid-Afrika nie en kan die effektiwiteit daarvan in ’n geïntegreerde militêre ontwikkelingsopleidingstelsel verbeter word. Die ondersoek het bepaal dat daar veral leemtes bestaan in die militêre ontwikkelingsopleidingsbeleid, aangesien leerders in die Suid-Afrikaanse Leër aan veel meer kursusvereistes moet voldoen as hulle gelykes in die ander weermagsdele. Verder is die standaard van die kurrikulums van die verskillende opleidingskursusse ook nie dieselfde nie. Beide hierdie probleme sou opgelos kon word deur middel van een verantwoordelike, gesamentlike opleidingsdepartement in die Nasionale Weermag.In ’n emosionele beskerming van ’n weermagsdeelkultuur, skep die Nasionale Weermag ’n opleidingsbegrotingsmonster, waar sewe verskillende opleidingseenhede dieselfde opleiding verskaf. Die verskillende ontwikkelingsopleidingskurrikulums, met die uitsondering van ’n beperkte aantal weermagsdele wat unieke opleiding verskaf, kan gemaklik onder die vaandel van een of twee Nasionale Weermagsdeeleenhede aangebied word. Hierdie gedagte sal steuning verleen aan die Een Mag en Gesamentlike Operasionele gedagte van die Nasionale Weermag. Verder sal hierdie visie verseker dat die Nasionale Weermag eerstens bestaan binne ’n Nasionale Weermag kultuur, gevolg deur ’n Weermagsdeelkultuur wat gerugsteun word deur ’n funksionele kultuur.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Twenty-first century armed forces increasingly have to operate amidst unprecedented uncertainty and complexity cascading onto the military domain. Not only are their roles and implicitly their whole being now constantly questioned; the historic rationale for their existence is also under pressure. New and even unorthodox responsibilities find their way into and increasingly begin to eclipse and challenge traditional elements that configure the military sphere. Adjustments towards new futures thus become essential, as the images of warless futures and endisms about war remain merely that - images. Subsequently, notions about the adaptive military and armed forces being open ended systems sensitive to and capable of remaining in step with unfolding futures, become imperatives. In addition to learning from history, military futures now increasingly co-feature as the domain to master in the pursuit of appropriate future armed forces. Exploring the future through a recognised field of study allows for alternative futures to unfold that are bound to differ from an historic review and its linear continuance. This also serves as a tenable argument for military futures. Only by systematically peeling away the dogma that armed forces are instruments for war and little else, can the required changes to and future contributions of military establishments towards alternative military futures be exposed. Subsequently, military forces become entities capable of changing alongside their societies towards futures not predominantly shaped for and by war. To this end, the topic of alternative military futures offers insights into the utility of armed forces as a more contributing and constructive future policy instrument. In researching alternative military futures through contiguous debates concerning the futuresmilitary nexus, military change, the Revolution in Military Affairs, and the unfolding strategic environment, it emerges that military change towards new futures is a rather slow and incremental process. Furthermore, the Revolution in Military Affairs, in spite of its prominence, offers limited future options to the majority of governments aspiring to exploit new ways and means for engaging military futures. In turn, the future strategic environment premises strategic futures leaving armed forces little choice but to prepare for a horizontal threat spectrum of simultaneity and complexity, and a vertical dimension of a destructive-constructive merger. This matrix calls for expanded military means to meet complex futures characterised by simultaneity and variety through a response hierarchy comprising destructive and constructive ways and means. These are future challenges also faced by the defence decision-makers and military practitioners in South Africa. Alternative military futures for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprise some interface with the dynamics posited by theories on military change, contributions by the Revolution in Military Affairs and threat-response continuum posited by the future strategic environment. From this challenging premise alternative military futures embedded in the more constructive and preventative use of its military policy instrument towards Africa in particular, a South African defence paradigm is emerging for employing the South African National Defence Force in future. Renouncing the warfighting option to bring about change, accepting the volatile and complex African challenge and embracing democracy and multilaterism call for new defence thinking to probe the future. This search is bound to reveal the unfolding of alternative military futures that reach beyond the expectations of South African defence decision-makers and military practitioners from both the apartheid and struggle generations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Militêre magte van die 21ste eeu opereer toenemend te midde van ongeëwenaarde onsekerheid en kompleksiteit wat op hul terrein van verantwoordelikheid aanspoel. Nie net die bydraes wat gewapende magte lewer nie, maar ook hul aard en wese word bevraagteken. Verskeie en selfs vreemde verantwoordelikhede kruip tans op die militêre verantwoordelikheidsgebied aan, wat weer die boustene van die militêre sfeer verwring of ondergrawe. Aanpassing om by toekomskwessies aan te pas raak dus noodsaaklik aangesien verwagtinge dat oorlog en die nut van militêre magte gaan verdwyn, 'n onderontwikkelde teorie verteenwoordig. Sieninge dat gewapende magte oop sisteme en aanpasbaar is met 'n sensitiwiteit vir wat in hul saamlewings plaasvind, asook dat hul in pas kan bly met hoe die toekoms ontvou, het noodsaaklike eienskappe geraak. Ter aanvulling van die historiese lesse, raak toekomsaspekte van die militêre domein nou kritiek vir die daarstelling van doelgeskikte en toekomsgerigte militêre magte. 'n Ondersoek van die toekomsveld deur van 'n erkende studieterrein gebruik te maak bevorder sieninge oor wat moontlik kan ontvou. Hierdie vooruitskouinge kan weer die historiese benadering en die linieêre voortsetting of projeksie daarvan aanvul. Hierdie onderlinge aanvulling is ook tersaaklik in die geval van die militêre toekomsomgewing. Slegs deur die dogma dat gewapende magte alleenlik geskik is vir die voer van oorloë en weinig anders, te weerlê, kan die veranderinge en bydraes van gewapende magte binne nuwe toekomsdimensies ondersoek en afgebaken word. Militêre magte kan dus voorgestel word as entiteite wat tog saam met hul gemeenskappe aanpas by veranderinge en die toekoms tegemoet kan gaan sonder dat laasgenoemde hoofsaaklik deur oorlog gevorm en onderlê word. Op hierdie wyse bied die onderwerp bekend as alternatiewe militêre toekomste meerdere insigte rakende die langer termyn nuttigheid van meer konstruktiewe gewapende magte. Die naspeur van toekomstige militêre aangeleenthede deur van die toekoms-militêre samehang, militêre verandering, die Rewolusie in Militêre Aangeleenthede, en die opkomende strategiese omgewing gebruik te maak, bied bepaalde insigte: die aanwesigheid van 'n samehang tussen toekomsstudies en die militêre faktor en dat die aard van militêre veranderinge as 'n inkrementele proses waarneembaar is. Ten spyte van die prominensie wat dit geniet, blyk dit dat die Rewolusie in Militêre Aangeleenthede beperkte opsies bied aan diegene wat beplan om die weg te volg om militêre aspekte van die toekoms tegemoet te gaan. Die toekomstige strategiese omgewing dui weer daarop dat gewapende magte min beweegruimte gegun word om vir tradisionele rolle voor te berei. 'n Horisontale spektrum van gelyktydigheid en kompleksiteit vorm saam met 'n vertikale destruktiewe-konstruktiewe kontinuum 'n matriks. Hierdie matriks vereis nou van weermagte die totstandbringing van uitgebreide militêre vermoëns en middele om kompleksiteit wat deur gelyktydigheid en verskeidenheid gekenmerk staan te word, die hoof te bied. Hierdie toekomstige kwessies word ook deur Suid-Afrikaanse besluitnemers en militêre bevelvoerders in die gesig gestaar. Toekomskwessies vir Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW) word vervat in dieselfde aspekte wat deur die aard van militêre veranderinge, die rol van die Rewolusie in Militêre Aangeleenthede en verwikkeldheid van die strategiese omgewing gereflekteer word. Gegewe hierdie uitdagende situasie, blyk dit dat alternatiewe vir die SANW neig om merendeels die konstruktiewe en voorkomende gebruik van die militêre beleidsinstrument te weerspieël. Hierdie neiging omvat dan ook 'n onteenseglike Afrika fokus met die gevolg dat die meer voorkomende en konstruktiewe gebruik van die land se weermag prominent in die opkomende Suid-Afrikaanse verdedigingsparadigma figureer. Deur die oorlogsopsie as 'n wyse om verandering te bewerkstellig af te keur, die onstabiele en komplekse Afrika-uitdaging te aanvaar en demokrasie en multilateralisme voor te staan, vereis nuwe verdedigingsdenke vir die toekoms. Vanuit hierdie vertrekpunt is dit waarkynlik dat militêre alternatiewe en toekomskwessies kan ontvou wat veel wyer strek as dit waarop besluitnemers vanuit beide die apartheids - sowel as struggle geledere reken.