This is a matter that we have been putting off taking decisions on. The time has come for us to indicate that maritime security is no longer a distant problem. We have, therefore, taken a decision to prioritise this matter. The countries of SADC, the Southern African Development Community, with whom we are inextricably linked, depend on us to take the lead in this matter. The decision, therefore, has been taken. This will be the focus of our policy, which is a deterrent policy to deter piracy along the Southern African coast of the Indian Ocean, in particular the Mozambique Channel.
Following reports of pirate activity off the coast of Mozambique and parts of Tanzania, this decision could not be deferred any further. Our maritime strategy will serve before Cabinet and thereafter serve before the joint standing committee of Parliament for consideration.
Our fifth priority is that we want to ensure that we can give the necessary impetus to the revitalisation of the reserve forces. This is something that has been very extensively dealt with. The Defence Amendment Act of 2010, promulgated in December, makes provision for the reserve force and, to date, we have had a call-up of 16 000 members of the reserve force and we hope to build on this.
Our sixth priority is the defence industry. We have here the documents that will be given to the portfolio committee - not anybody out there with a loud enough voice to try to drown out everybody else. The restructuring of the defence industry will focus on structural arrangements that maintain and deliver strategic defence capability in a sustainable way. The interactive framework and function alignment to properly synchronise these with the requirements and the mandate of the SANDF are in place here. The emphasis should be on governance, risk management, and the compliance and accountability framework within the Defence portfolio.
In conclusion, as we commit ourselves to ensuring that we can live up to our promises, we need to also celebrate our successes. I'm extremely proud of what we have achieved, and my sincerest gratitude goes to all who have contributed to these significant achievements: the long-suffering Deputy Minister responsible for a very difficult task, the Acting Chief of the Defence Force for his unfailing capacity, the Chiefs of Services and the divisional heads to the Director-General of Military Veteran Services, the Secretariat for Defence; and to all of those who have worked to make sure that we are where we are.
Finally, Chairperson, allow me to direct myself ...