Yasmin Bilal
Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa has called for a new approach to strengthening South Africa’s defence capability, saying government should work more closely with the private sector to modernise military infrastructure and address years of underinvestment.
Addressing the Defence Industry Lekgotla today, Holomisa said the Department of Defence could no longer depend solely on additional funding from the National Treasury.
He said years of budget constraints had left the defence force with ageing infrastructure, growing maintenance backlogs and mounting equipment requirements.
“The question before us is not whether the problems exist,” said Holomisa.
“The Department cannot simply assume that every infrastructure backlog, every equipment requirement and every modernisation project will be fully funded through additional allocations from the National Treasury. That is not a realistic assumption,” he said.
Holomisa said government should explore innovative ways of attracting private sector investment without giving up ownership of strategic defence assets.
“We must therefore consider additional and innovative ways of mobilising capital and expertise,” he said.
He stressed that public-private partnerships should not be seen as a move to privatise the country’s military assets.
“I am not speaking about selling off the assets of the Department of Defence. I am not speaking about selling military land to the highest bidder. I am speaking about using a lawful, transparent and carefully structured instrument to mobilise private capital and expertise,” said Holomisa.
He said partnerships could help fund military housing, health facilities, logistics infrastructure, border security projects and the modernisation of military bases, while ensuring state ownership of strategic assets is protected.
Holomisa also called for greater investment in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and robotics. He said South Africa must equip young people with the skills needed to support the future of the defence industry.
“We must invest in our young people and create pathways from schools and universities into research, industry and the defence sector,” he said.
Holomisa urged defence leaders and Parliament to ensure the Lekgotla delivers practical outcomes rather than becoming “another talk shop”.
“I would like to see the development of a practical PPP Action Plan that moves beyond general statements and identifies actual projects, potential partners, funding models, risks, responsibilities and timelines,” he said.