Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has expressed pleasure that the country's defence acquisitions, disposals and research and development agency, Armscor, again has a permanent CEO. The agency was headed by an acting CEO for four years. "I'm delighted that the process of appointing the CEO of Armscor has been completed," she said during her Budget Vote media briefing on Tuesday.

The new CEO is Kevin Wakefield, who was appointed in April; the previous, acting, CEO was Sipho Mkwanazi.

However, she also announced that Armscor board chairperson Vice-Admiral Johannes Mudimu (a former Chief of the South African Navy), was retiring, for personal reasons. The Minister noted that Mudimu had taken the Armscor post only to develop and oversee a turnaround strategy for the agency.

And Armscor had, indeed, developed a turnaround strategy under Mudimu. "Not only that, but a strategy that has been well-received by industry," she highlighted, congratulating the Admiral.

She had further praise which was separate but also connected with Armscor, which manages and operates the Naval Dockyard at Simon's Town (not to be confused with the co-located Simon's Town Naval Base). "The SAS Manthatisi [a Type 209/1400SAN submarine] was successfully overhauled here, in South Africa. This is something we should all be proud of." The submarine is now back in operation.

On a different subject, the Minister announced that the retirement age for members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was being increased from 60 to 65. Research into the legislation had revealed that there was no law setting the retirement age at 60 and that the Minister was free to use her discretion to raise it to 65. This was being done to maintain expertise within the SANDF and to allow for the development of clear succession plans for personnel over the next five years. "This is one issue I'm very determined and committed to deal with."

Mapisa-Nqakula also noted that the Department of Defence (DoD) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Public Works (DPW), clearing the way for the DoD's Works Formation to take over the maintenance and repair of some of the SANDF's infrastructure and properties. The National Treasury has granted the DoD R900-million to fund such activities by the Works Formation.

"We've now taken over the renovations at 1 Military Hospital," she reported. There remain, however, some concerns about the capacity within the Works Formation. "We have trained a number of artisans who are now in that formation."

In response to a question from a journalist, the Minister observed that "I'm very happy with this MoU [with DPW]", as there were not necessarily enough resources within the DoD to handle the maintenance and repair of all of the SANDF's property and infrastructure. "Half a loaf is better than no bread. That R900-million will be used; we'll quickly renovate particularly those residential areas where our soldiers are housed."