We, as South Africans, have been and still are experiencing and observing many changes around us in our country. These changes are dramatic and often traumatic, reflecting the new reality of the South African political landscape. The transformation in South Africa is far from over; day after day, week after week and month after month the fibre of our society will be touched and changed until the situation is finally normalised. This is a necessary and healthy process that will, in the end, lead to the creation of more and more opportunities for all people to show their talents, develop their skills, and become entrepreneurs in the true sense of the word.

In the SANDF, these changes are also reflected in the appointment of new officers to the senior ranks. I am aware of the fact that these changes have made many soldiers feel uncomfortable and worried about the safety of their jobs.

I would, however, like to express my sincere appreciation and admiration for the task you, as soldiers, are fulfilling in terms of creating a climate of peace and stability in South Africa. You are playing an absolutely pivotal role during this time of transformation to ensure that changes take place within a stable society, in a broader southern African political region that is also undergoing dramatic political changes after devastating military conflicts. This stability is a cornerstone of a phased movement towards a truly representative and democratic government in our country, and in that of our neighbours.

I have said previously that in South Africa we should exchange tanks, guns and bullets for houses, water and food for those who most need it. The weapons in our hands should be reconciliation, the reconstruction of our society, and urgently addressing the needs of those who are suffering because their most basic needs are not being met. Our weapons of attack should be sound education, appropriate primary health care, and affordable housing.

There is another issue that is crucial when we discuss peace and stability, and that is the supportive role of the public in this whole process. The SANDF deserves the moral and also physical support of the community, by way of becoming involved in its activities. The SANDF and citizens at large should work together as a team to serve the community from which they come. We need an affordable, adequate defence force with a flexible manpower system that should have the interests of the community at heart. The people who serve in this defence force should be prepared to sacrifice some of their time and effort to protect their families and communities, as well as the borders of our beloved country. Training should then be provided to equip these people to become defenders and protectors of the community.

During 1994 we in Mpumalanga introduced a similar approach to solving problems in communities. This method, which I will elaborate on, proved to be very successful. During the civil war in Mozambique, thousands of Mozambicans crossed the borders illegally in search of a better life in South Africa. When in 1993 the war ended, the situation worsened because there were thousands of Mozambican soldiers without work. The illegal immigrants who returned to their farms had no livestock. This resulted in cattle theft across the borders and a situation of lawlessness, drugs and weapons smuggling and many other crimes.

In Mpumalanga, the SANDF needed, as a matter of urgency, to solve these problems in close co-operation with our other security forces. The volunteer system proved to be the perfect way in which the inhabitants of affected areas could protect themselves against these acts of lawlessness. Volunteers were recruited in the four traditional areas close to the Mozambican border. In collaboration with traditional leaders, the SANDF recruited black volunteers to serve as temporary or part-time soldiers. The SANDF, together with the community leaders, screened the applicants by testing their abilities and skills, and chose the ones best suited for the task at hand. The recruits were fully aware of the fact that they would not be permanently employed by the SANDF, but would, after completing their task, return to their communities and their normal occupations.

These recruits then had to undergo a short but intensive training course. The first 40 recruits were handed back to the leaders of their communities, to help solve the problems in their own areas. The recruits were divided into pairs and issued with radios, which enabled them to report to the military base. Since November 1994 these 40 members have been responsible for the arrest of more than 1 000 illegal immigrants, and the confiscation of large amounts of dagga, stolen cattle and firearms. The communities from which these soldiers were recruited are very proud to see their 'sons' defending them. They are, in many cases, the key factor for operational success by co-operating with them and giving them important information, they enable them to fulfil their task.

To my mind, the key to the success of this operation was the co-operation between the community, the traditional leaders, the SANDF and the government. In the process they were able to combat instability, but also, very importantly, to help create the basis for regional co-operation and stability. This proves that successful area protection depends upon good teamwork.

The principle that all communities must be self-sufficient in respect of their security needs was then extended, during August 1995, to the nature reserves. A short but intensive course is now presented to the game rangers. The reserves benefit from this arrangement, for it will improve the conservation of endangered species. The volunteers will be trained in military subjects such as fieldcraft, advanced musketry, patrolling, drill and legal aspects. After completing this training, the volunteers will do part-time military duty in their own nature reserves.

I firmly believe in the concept of helping our communities to help themselves. The time has passed for South Africans to wait for government to provide in all their needs; instead, I believe in educating and helping the people of our country to become self-sufficient in every aspect of their lives. This concept of the SANDF can be implemented in all the communities in our country. They can become part of the process of creating peace and stability which will, in the end, result in much-needed foreign investment and economic growth.

I believe that volunteers who have been trained by the SANDF become confident, loyal and disciplined citizens who are motivated, can become future leaders, know how to work together as a team, can communicate and can function under pressure. These people can also be successfully absorbed into the business sector. I therefore support this project of the SANDF throughout our country. To my mind, the key to successful implementation lies in the recognition that the volunteer service must be focused on specific situations, on the creation of specific skills, and the knowledge that the reconstruction and development of our society will best be served by such a part-time but needs-driven approach.

In conclusion, a part-time volunteer corps that is well-trained and well-equipped can contribute enormously towards the reconstruction and development of our country. If the basis of this approach is to support the community and secure a skilled and motivated workforce, it deserves our support. After all, human reconstruction forms the very basis on which which we will build the peaceful and prosperous new South Africa.