1,600 Recruits Graduate From SA Army Military Skills Development Programme

Over 1,600 recruits have officially joined the South African Army after completing six months of Basic Military Training (BMT) under the Military Skills Development System (MSDS).

The passing-out parade, held on 18 September at 3 South African Infantry Battalion in Kimberley, was attended by SA Army Chief, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha. The recruits, dressed in ceremonial white gloves and puttees, showcased the discipline and transformation gained during their training.

BMT included individual skills development, platoon weapons handling, and other foundational military training that turned volunteers into soldiers. Ten recruits received awards for outstanding performance, with Recruit MB Chiloane receiving the prestigious Chief SA Army Award.

In his address, Lt. Gen. Mbatha commended the graduates but also cautioned against underestimating the importance of the military in society, stressing that those who do so “do it at their peril.”

This year’s MSDS intake saw 1,591 recruits placed in the Army, 460 in the Navy, 337 in the Air Force, and 150 in the Military Health Service. Earlier in July, 442 Navy recruits graduated during a similar ceremony at SAS Saldanha.

The MSDS annually enlists about 2,000 volunteers for a two-year programme across the four services. After basic and specialist training, recruits are deployed to various units, with a limited number offered long-term contracts, while others transition into the Reserve Force.

To further bolster its ranks, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has announced plans to recruit 11,000 new members this year—10,000 into the regular force and 1,000 into the Reserve. Training for the August intake is already underway.