The SADF’s main objective in the JMCC period seems to have been to keep the structures, doctrines, training culture and organisational culture as intact as possible throughout the integration process. This was achieved for a number of reasons: - The SADF had the organisational, planning and budgetary capabilities that enabled them to plan and prepare, in considerable detail, their various position papers well before their discussion with the formal structures of the JMCC. Invariably the SADF positions were seen as the most thought-out and coherent and more often than not they were included in the proceedings of the JMCC. 4 - The SADF possessed formal strategic staff and management skills. It was familiar with practical, conceptual, strategic and doctrinal issues underpinning both the planning and force design process. The SADF was also familiar with bureaucratic politics. On the other hand, MK could influence the process by banking on the significant political leverage of the ANC in the national political arena. By the end of 1993 it was already a foregone conclusion that the ANC would be the ruling party after the national elections. MK used this political leverage to exact key political compromises on the ranking and placement of non-statutory force officers, the management and oversight of the integration process during the post-election period, and the participation of the British armed forces as neutral arbitrators overseeing the entire process.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:24:41 +0000