(1) With reference to the approximately 250 members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) who were flown to Cuba for training at the end of August 2021, (a) from which SANDF formations and/or divisions are the specified members and (b) for what reason was it decided that the best possible training available to them was in Cuba;
(2) on what basis was it resolved that all the relevant SANDF members must attend training in Cuba, where the only language of communication is Spanish, given that all trainees must spend one year in Cuba learning Spanish;
(3) whether she has found that it is cost-effective to spend and/or waste one year to be taught Spanish before actual training can commence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether she has found that it is acceptable that the SANDF soldiers are (a) used for obligatory garden work where grass must be cut with machetes under instruction of their Spanish-speaking instructors and (b) not provided with balanced meals, but rather a low standard of food (details furnished); if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
(5) what are the reasons that (a) interpreters are not assigned on a full-time basis to the trainee soldiers and (b) the specified training is not available in the Republic, where similar and higher grade training used to be available in the past?
NW522E