Hon Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister, hon members, distinguished guests and invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, in 1874 China took a decision to bolster only its Air Force and landward defence, and Japan capitalised on this weakness during the Japanese aggression in Formosa, and China was exposed.
China then had to make the humiliating decision of paying off the aggressor, rather than fighting it because of its decision not to bolster its naval programme. This was despite China having more soldiers than Japan; a ratio of 5:1, not to mention that Japan was small and poor compared to China. [Interjections.] Thank you; this is a free lecture. This defeat made the Western powers take note of China's vulnerability and cast covetous eyes on China.
I am recounting this history, because we do not want South Africa to suffer the same fate as China: facing humiliating defeat because we did not bolster our maritime defence. I know some will say that we are not facing war, or that we are not at war. On the contrary, I am saying that we always face wars, some of which are not obvious, such as piracy and terrorism.
For example, nowadays we have an increase in the instance of piracy and sea robbery, an increase in shipping in general and shipping of drugs in particular, and a rise in the spectre of maritime terrorism. These have placed greater emphasis on maritime security.
Naval bases, harbours, ports, terminals and underwater pipelines are amongst the maritime facilities and boundaries that can be easy targets for terrorist attacks and other criminal activities owing to their vastness, making it hard for security officers to safeguard all of them.
Also, it is now a well-known fact that terrorist organisations are investing in training operatives in diving techniques, and the risk of attack on facilities is unfortunately a growing concern for everyone. These kinds of terrorist attacks can severely affect economic stability and, at the same time, damage property and, worse, lead to the loss of innocent lives.
Therefore, it is important to invest in maritime defence solutions in order to tighten maritime security and ensure that all maritime borders are well guarded. Investing in maritime defence security is vital to ensure the security of all maritime borders and protect all assets. I am therefore happy that the department has made the establishment of a balanced maritime security capability to respond effectively to emerging maritime threats one of its 10 priorities.
When it comes to maritime security, it is clear that maritime security officers cannot do the job alone. So, there is a need for advanced technology to help them to effectively ensure the security of all maritime borders. Unfortunately, technology does not come cheap.
Hon Chairperson and members, maritime defence, as part of overall defence, has an economic perspective as well. Today we talk of South Africa as a dominant economy in Africa and an important player on the global market. To maintain this status, South Africa has to be secure. The path to prosperity begins with security. That is all the more reason to have a defence spending conversation on South Africa's role on the continent and in the Southern African region and on an understanding of the demands of our long- standing strategy.
South Africa's dominant position on a vital, global-trade sea route, its dependence on sea trade and its vast maritime area make maritime defence a matter of great importance. So, the protection and defence of maritime lifelines of commerce during times of conflict and hostility may prove crucial to the survival and wellbeing of our people.
South Africa has six major commercial ports, and it is of vital importance that these ports be kept open to shipping, even during times of war or tension. The present lack of finance for defence, however, has determined that two critical areas, comprising Durban and Richards Bay on the East Coast and Cape Town, Saldanha Bay and Simon's Town on the West Coast, should be prioritised. I am glad that to this end, two maritime defence areas have been planned, based on these two areas. This shows how critical maritime defence is.
This economic perspective, and others, shows that the duties of the navy as part of the Defence Force are multipronged. For example, the navy is also called upon if there is a natural disaster in order to provide aid to the country that needs it. The navy also rescues those who have entered the waters of another territory, or a conflict zone. The navy also protects trade routes which aid our economy.
There are many other areas in which the maritime force can make a major and, in some cases, indispensable contribution. A specific instance in a specific area is in hydrographical surveying. The navy's survey vessel SAS Protea has undertaken missions to Antarctica and other SADC countries to help make the sea a safer place for all sailors.
Another instance is in search and rescue operations: assisting in rescuing passengers on the Oceanos, a Greek passenger ship that sank in August 1991. With regard to fishery protection, the South African navy is deployed in the Stop Illegal Fishing Programme as part of the SADC statement of commitment on illegal, unregulated and unlawful fishing, in terms of which illegal fishermen are arrested.
Sihlalo, sengibale izinto eziningi eziyimpumelelo ngaphinde ngabonisa nokubaluleka komkhosi wasemanzini wezwe lethu. Isikhalo esinaso kwaKhongolose ukuthi imali iyasishodela kulo mNyango. Thina siwuKhongolose sithi siyacela kumNyango weziMali ukuthi ukhuphule imali ukuze izwe lethu liphephe, sikwazi ukuthi sikhusele izwe lakithi. Ngiyabonga. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Chairperson, I have mentioned things that are a success and I have even indicated the importance of our country's navy. The complaint that we have as the ANC is that there is a shortage of money in this department. As the ANC, we request that the Department of Finance should increase the funding for the safety of our country, so that we are able to protect our country. Thank you. [Applause.]]