Chairperson, the criteria used by the SA National Defence Force to recruit candidates for the Military Skills Development System are as follows: The candidate must be a South African citizen aged between 18 and 22 years, having passed Grade 12. If that person has got a diploma or a degree certificate, the maximum age is 26 years.
If you have Grade 12 it is 18 to 22 years, if you have got a degree or a diploma it is 18 to 26 years. The minimum requirement is Grade 12 and they must be medically fit. We check every disease, unlike what has been said that we only check for HIV and Aids. We check every chronic disease. You cannot be employed in Defence if you have diabetes.
With regard to psychometrical evaluation recommendations, there must be psychometrical tests and preferably you must be single, especially for soldiers. I am not saying if you are married we won't take you but you must also realise the minimum age is 18 years. That's why we prefer single people. We don't want people who will think about their wives and children when they are supposed to fight a war.
The recruitment process for the Military Skills Development System takes place in all provinces and the schools are identified by the Department of Education. During 2007 the following schools according to provinces were visited for recruitment: Eastern Cape, 77 schools and tertiary institutions; Northwest, 145 schools and tertiary institutions; Northern Cape, 101 schools and tertiary institutions; Western Cape, 79 schools and tertiary institutions; Free State, 70 schools and tertiary institutions; Limpopo, 84 schools and tertiary institutions; Mpumalanga, 120 schools and tertiary institutions; KwaZulu-Natal, 80 schools and tertiary institutions; Gauteng, 20 schools, tertiary institutions and 10 career expos.
The Department of Education rotates the schools every year to give the opportunity to as many schools as possible to be part of this recruiting drive. You will understand, when we go to schools, we have to liaise and work with the Department of Education. It also provides an opportunity for urban and rural schools to be part of the drive. Thank you.