Chapter 11

SURVEY AND ANALYSIS


Published in Monograph No 59, August 2001
Demobilisation and its Aftermath I
A Profile of South Africa's Demobilised Military Personnel


Background

Figure 5: Age groups of respondents




Table 5: Age category of respondents

Age category Base number Percentage Percentage valid
21-30 109 35.28 35.62
31-40 109 35.28 35.62
41-50 45 14.56 14.71
51-60 23 7.44 7.52
61-70 20 6.47 6.54
n/a
 3 0.97
Total 309 100 100

The ages of the 309 individuals surveyed varied from 19 to 74 years. The majority of respondents fell within the 26 to 35 year-old category.

The majority of respondents were below 40 years of age. The vast majority of those interviewed were males.

Table 6: Gender distribution of respondents

Gender Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Male 264 85.44 86.56
Female 41 13.27 13.44
n/a 4 1.29
Total 309 100 100


Table 7: Marital status of respondents

Marital status Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Married 61 19.74 19.93
Divorced 33 10.68 10.78
Unmarried/living together 31 10.03 10.13
Unmarried/single 136 44.02 44.44
Separated 6 1.94 1.96
Traditional 39 12.62 12.75
Unknown 3 0.97
Total 309 100


Table 8: Dependants forming part of respondents’ households

Children Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Yes 249 80.58 81.37
No 57 18.45 18.63
Unknown 3 0.97
Total 309 100 100

A high proportion of respondents were unmarried, with less than 20% indicating that they were married.

Over 80% indicated that they had children — this would obviously place a major burden on families if the demobilised soldier was unemployed.

Table 9: Language distribution of respondents

Language Base number Percentage
isiZulu 42 13.59
Sepedi 53 17.15
English 1 0.32
Afrikaans 4 1.29
isiXhosa 65 21.04
Xitsonga 10 3.24
Tshivenda 3 0.97
Setswana 68 22.01
Sesotho 42 13.59
siSwati 8 2.59
isiNdebele 12 3.88
Other 1 0.32
Total 309 100

The results of the survey indicate a wide spread of different home languages among respondents. This would suggest that, for any education or skills enhancement programme, attention should be given to courses presented in the home languages of demobilised soldiers.

The majority of respondents (49.84%) were MK members before joining the SANDF. Less than 15% indicated that they had formally been a member of the SANDF.

Years served with the non-statutory forces varied considerably from less than two years to over 20 years. However, the results indicate that a significant proportion of respondents spent fairly long periods of time (6-20 years) with the non-statutory forces.

Table 10: Military experience prior to joining the SANDF

Organisation before SANDF Base number Percentage Percentage valid
MK 154 49.84 56.62
APLA 50 16.18 18.38
AZANLA 1 0.32 0.37
TBVC defence forces 7 2.27 2.57
SADF 44 14.24 16.18
SAPS 1 0.32 0.37
SDU 15 4.85 5.51
Unknown 37 11.98
Total 309 100


Table 11: Employment duration in the non-statutory forces

Duration in years Base number Percentage Percentage valid
>2 27 9 11
4-Feb 32 10 13
6-Apr 43 14 17
10-Jun 66 21 26
20-Oct 51 17 20
<20 31 10 13
Unknown 59 19
Total 309 100 100

A significant proportion of respondents spent between three and five years in the SANDF.

A significant proportion of respondents (37%) served in the infantry. This finding tends to support the general perception that foot soldiers bore the brunt of demobilisation.

The majority of respondents (60%) indicated that they had not received any training in the SANDF, over and above normal military instruction.

Table 12: Employment duration in the SANDF

Duration in years Base number Percentage valid
>1 36 19
2-Jan 38 20
3-Feb 36 19
3-4.5 43 22
5-<5 39 20
Total 192 100


Table 13: Mustering served in the SANDF

Mustering Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Infantry 115 37 56
Artillary 6 2 3
Signal 9 3 4
Medical 3 1 1
Engineering 17 6 8
Personnel 6 2 3
Administration 5 2 3
SA Air Force 2 1 1
SA Navy 5 2 2
Special Forces 3 1 1
TDK mustering 10 3 5
Motor mechanic 1 0 0
Military police 4 1 2
Service 2 1 1
Ordinance 1 0 0
Integration 4 1 2
Special defence unit 10 3 5
Other 2 1 1
Unknown 104 33
Total 309 100 100


Table 14: Training participation while serving in the SANDF

Training Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Yes 25 8 12
No 185 60 88
Do not know 1 0 0
Unknown 98 32
Total 309 100 100


Separation from the SANDF

Figure 6: Reason for leaving the service of the SANDF


Survey results indicate that the majority of respondents (60%) left the SANDF because they were demobilised. At the same time, almost 30% either resigned or were dismissed.

A total of 37% of respondents indicated that they were forced to accept demobilisation, while 18% indicated that demobilisation has been a choice.

Most respondents had not attained significant education levels on leaving the SANDF.

Figure 7: Manner in which respondents left the SANDF




Table 15: Educational level of respondents at the time of departure who were demobilised or dismissed, or who resigned from the SANDF

Educational level Demobilised Resigned Dismissed Total
Percentage
None-grade 5 16 2 2 12
Grade 6-8 11 12 19 12
Grade 9-11 34 28 52 36
Grade 12 26 40 19 27
Grade 12+ 14 19 7 14
The figures in this table were rounded off, and the total therefore does not equal 100.

Most respondents were in the age group between 26 and 35 years when they were separated from the SANDF.

Most of the individuals separated from the SANDF were male.

The vast majority of demobilised soldiers had children to support when they left the SANDF.

Of those who responded to the question, 39% did not choose to leave the SANDF.

Table 16: Age of respondents at the time of departure who were demobilised or dismissed, or who resigned from the SANDF

Age groups Demobilised Resigned Dismissed Total
Percentage
<25 5 0 10 5
26-30 28 49 24 31
31-35 21 28 40 25
36-45 24 16 19 22
46-60 14 7 2 11
61> 7 0 5 6


Table 17: Gender of respondents who were demobilised or dismissed, or who resigned from the SANDF

Gender Demobilised Resigned Dismissed
Male 90 86 98
Female 10 14 2


Table 18: Dependants of respondents who were demobilised or dismissed, or who resigned from the SANDF

Dependants Demobilised Resigned Dismissed
Yes 80 86 83
No 20 14 17


Table 19: Respondents who left the SANDF by choice

Left voluntarily Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Yes 91 29 43
No 122 39 57
Unknown 96 31
Total 309 100 100


Table 20: How long respondents were demobilised

Time Base number Percentage Percentage valid
<6 months 3 1 2
6 months-1 year 10 3 6
1-2 years 6 2 3
>2 years 154 50 88
Not retrenched 2 1 1
Unknown 134 43
Total 309 100 100

Almost 90% of the respondents were separated from the SANDF for more than two years.

Educational level of respondents

Table 21: Educational levels of respondents

Education Base number Percentage
No schooling 9 2.91
Grade 1 to 5 25 8.09
Grade 6 to 8 42 13.59
Grade 9 to 11 99 32.04
Grade 12 83 26.86
Grade 10/11 and apprenticeship 7 2.27
Grade 12 and 3 years training 28 9.06
Grade 12 and >3 years training 16 5.18
Total 309 100

Clearly, one of the most important socio-economic factors in successful demobilisation programmes is the level of education achieved by demobilised soldiers. A higher education level will obviously be a major advantage in finding suitable employment, while a lower education level, conversely, would be a significant disadvantage. The survey suggests that the vast majority of demobilised soldiers are not well enough qualified to find suitable employment easily in commercial enterprises.

Figure 8: Educational levels of respondents, by age group


Linking age and educational levels, the survey shows that a high proportion of those under 35 years of age would require further study, or skills enhancement to prepare them for employment.

Table 22: Educational level of respondents prior to joining the military

Training/educational levels Base number Percentage Percentage valid
School 276 89 91
University/Technikon/College 13 4 4
Practical training no certificate 4 2 1
Practical training with certificate 9 3 3
Unknown 7 2
Total 309 100 100

Some respondents indicated that they had undertaken further studies since leaving the SANDF. However, studies were not undertaken at a very advanced level, thus limiting prospects for employment.

Almost 90% of respondents had completed various levels of schooling, but less than 10% had participated in any kind of further training.

Figure 9: Education/training received while in military service




Table 23: Further educational pursuits of respondents after leaving the SANDF

Study after leaving SANDF Base number Percentage Percentage valid
Yes 55 18 22
No 195 63 78
Unknown 59 19
Total 309 100 100

Respondents reported a range of training programmes that had been completed while in the SANDF. With some additional assistance, these skills could be put to good use in civilian enterprises.

The majority of respondents (63%) indicated that they had not completed any studies after leaving the SANDF, while 18% confirmed that they had.

Employment

Figure 10: Current employment status of respondents


Only 23% of respondents reported being in full-time employment, indicating that a very high percentage of demobilised soldiers have yet to find gainful employment. Only 10% indicated that they were employed full-time.

Proportionally, males are more affected by a lack of employment than females.

Table 24: Current employment status of respondents, by gender

Status Male Female Total
Work/study 87 13 100
Unemployed 86 14 100


Figure 11: Current employment status of respondents, by age group


Interest in further training

Figure 12: Level of interest in further training expressed by respondents




Table 25: Interest expressed by respondents for training in specific fields

Base number Percentage
Unknown/none 33 10.68
Administration 10 3.24
Any training 20 6.47
Army 7 2.27
Building 9 2.91
Business management 25 8.09
Carpentry 6 1.94
Catering 7 2.27
Construction 2 0.64
Development 6 1.94
Dressmaking 5 1.62
Electricity 10 3.24
Farming 10 3.24
Financial management 4 1.29
Information technology 25 8.09
Marketing 7 2.27
Mechanics 21 6.8
Nursing 4 1.29
Other 17 5.5
Panelbeating 5 1.62
Police 10 3.24
Security 31 10.03
Study 5 1.62
Technology 8 2.59
Tourism 11 3.56
Traffic control 6 1.94
Transport 3 0.96
Welding 2 0.65
Total 309 100

The vast majority (86%) of demobilised soldiers expressed a strong interest in further training.

Areas of interest varied widely, but there is clearly significant potential for human resource conversion of demobilised soldiers. The institution of specifically focused short-term training programmes would be extremely useful for former combatants.

Conclusion

The survey results suggest that the typical profile of the demobilised soldier is:
  • a black male in the age group 26-35 years;
  • unmarried, but perhaps living with a partner;
  • a number of children to support;
  • formerly served in MK for a period of approximately four to ten years;
  • served in the infantry of the SANDF for approximately one to four years;
  • was not demobilised by choice;
  • has been demobilised for more than two years;
  • has completed schooling to the level of grade nine to eleven, but presently has no other non-military technical, or tertiary level education;
  • completed only infantry-related training in the SANDF;
  • has not completed any training or education programme since leaving the SANDF;
  • is presently unemployed, or is undergoing training in preparation for employment; and
  • has a very strong interest in further training in a wide variety of areas.