Publication: Sunday Independent Issued: Date: 2008-06-07 Reporter: Clayton Barnes

'A Complete Joke'

 

Publication 

Sunday Independent
Date

2008-06-07
Reporter Clayton Barnes

Web Link

www.sundayindependent.co.za


Serving time at sea is no longer a requirement for a top post in the SA Navy.

Both the Chief of the Navy, Vice-Admiral Johannes Mudimu, and the navy's next Master at Arms, Warrant Officer Pragasen Moodley, who will take up the position early next year, were appointed without having served time at sea.

The Master at Arms is the disciplinary co-ordinator for all uniformed staff.

A retired senior navy officer said the fact that the two key members holding these vital positions in the navy hadn't served time at sea was a "complete joke". He said there was no way anyone could run the navy without having served time aboard ship.

"These guys have no credibility. How can they expect to lead the country's mariners if they have no idea what it's like working at sea? They can't stand in front of a group of senior officers and tell them what to do. Maybe that's why the navy is in such a big mess."

But Defence Department spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the fundamental requirement for those appointed into top positions in the armed forces was sound leadership.

Characteristics such as visionary thinking and the ability to inspire and motivate members at every level in the organisation were critical.

"In keeping with military norms, we require that our leaders be role models *1 - persons who epitomise the code of conduct and value system of the organisation in which they serve," said Dlamini.

"Thus they need, first and foremost, to be persons of principle, able to lead men and women into difficult and dangerous circumstances *2 in a manner that befits our constitution and the people we serve."

Dlamini said while being required to operate strategically, people in senior positions also needed to have a good understanding of the core business of the organisation *3 - which was, in the case of the navy, fighting at sea *4.

"Mudimu and Moodley have immersed themselves in the sea-going environment, and may be held to understand all aspects thereof as may be required of them to execute their leadership positions."

Mudimu has been to sea since being appointed.

* This article was originally published on page 2 of The Pretoria News on June 07, 2008

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With acknowledgements to Clayton Barnes and Sunday Independent.


*1       The role is to fight at sea - from the Operations Room or Bridge of a surface or sub-surface combatant, not the sycophantic resort of Naval Headquarters in Pretoria.


*2       There are difficult and dangerous circumstances with anti-ship cruise missiles with 320 kg high-explosive warhead incoming at 5 metre altitude at 2 500 km per hour (Mach 2) closing speed, or anti-ship ballistic missiles with 300 kilotonne thermo-nuclear warhead and incoming at 100 000 metre altitude at 10 000 km per hour (Mach 9), or an anti-submarine torpedo closing from the depths at 45 knots with its 45 kg high-explosive shaped charge.

The most difficult thing at NHQ is trying to get the dung off the end of one's nose.

The most dangerous thing at NHQ is deciding in which offshore account to place the latest splogde from Thomson-CSF with the NPA knowing about it.


*3*4    Is this not a case of hoisting oneself by one's own petard?

The core business of the SA Navy is indeed fighting at sea - indeed the SA Navy's motto is (not particularly inspiring) "To Win at Sea".

So we the Admirals and Master at Arms strut around our air-conditioned offices and swagger occasionally around the parade ground *5 while the poor manne endure 60 days or 90 days "fighting" the Patagonian Toothfisherpeople around Marion and Price Edward Islands.


*5      As often as not at the handing over and commissioning ceremonies where ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Ferrostaal and Thomson-CSF hand over their wares *6 to the grateful admirals and ministers of the realm.


*6      The wonga was handed over in tranches between early 1999 and middle 2000 *7.


*7      Some more is due if the DoD opts for a fifth corvette or a fourth submarine.