Hundreds of hopefuls wishing to pursue a career with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were saved the hassle of having to travel and spend money submitting their applications, as a five-day recruitment drive by SANDF officials brought the service to their doorstep.
This comes after SANDF officials spent five days in halls in the Mbhashe and Mnquma local municipalities last week, assisting applicants with accurately completing their applications for the SANDF Military Skills Development Systems (MSDS).
SANDF officials spent last week, three days in Mbhashe and two days in Mnquma, helping hopefuls with accurately completing their application forms, as well as answering pertinent questions related to the recruitment programme.
The MSDS is a two-year voluntary service system that allows young South African citizens to serve in uniform.
Successful MSDS candidates will receive basic military training, specific mustering and functional training in the first year, and be utilised or deployed internally or externally in the second year of the MSDS.
After the two years candidates will either continue as part of the Reserve Force or receive a contract offer to join the Regular Force.
SANDF said a selection board will be constituted from May to October this year, and successful applicants will begin training in January 2025.
“As the municipality we want to thank the SANDF officials for making Mnquma Local Municipality one of their stops in their nationwide recruitment drive.
“This will go a long way in denting the high youth unemployment rate under the local municipality, and contribute to grooming responsible citizens that will take the country forward.
“We are also happy with the interest shown by our young people in joining the army, as more than 600 hopefuls attended and submitted their applications during recruitment drives in Centane and Butterworth,” said Mnquma Local Municipality spokesperson, Loyiso Mpalantshane.
Mihlali Palezweni (19) from Centane, who was one of the hopefuls who attended the recruitment drive in Centane, said she applied to be a firefighter.
“The SANDF officials explained different careers that were available, and I chose the firefighting career because I have always been interested in firefighting, and I am very happy that this recruitment drive brought me a step closer to pursuing my dream career,” she said.
“Attending the recruitment drive opened my eyes to various careers in the military. I learnt that the military is not all about carrying a gun and combat, and subsequently applied for a national diploma in nursing under military health services,” said another hopeful, Asonge Janda, from Gobe Village in Centane.
Mbhashe Local Municipality indicated that the SANDF will be working with the municipality in refurbishing and constructing new buildings at Colosa Primary School in Dutywa.
