The Politics of Race and Gender in the South African Armed Forces: Issues, Challenges, Lessons

Abstract

This article examines the politics of race and gender in the South African armed forces since 1994. The first section provides an overview of the changing racial profile of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Thereafter the challenges which the integration of former enemy forces and affirmative action have posed in terms of changing power relations, professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness are discussed, before providing a brief overview of the different approaches to diversity management. The focus then shifts to gender and the debates on gender equality. The implications of the changed gender/racial profile are sketched, before moving on to some of the more contentious issues of sexuality, authority relations, leadership, sexual harassment and gender-based violence. The final section examines some of the difficulties women face whilst deployed on peacekeeping missions and how the unique needs of women in this patriarchal environment continue to be overlooked. The final section looks at how gender mainstreaming initiatives are being managed. For the SANDF finding the right balance between demographic representivity for the sake of redress and political expedience, and efficiency for the sake of military effectiveness continues to be an ongoing challenge.

Notes

African in this context refers to black (Africans), while Blacks is the collective term used for Coloureds, Indians and Africans.

The term ‘representivity’ is used within the South African context to describe the need to be representative in terms of race and gender. In terms of defence transformation, this is possibly the most frequently used (and abused) term in the SANDF.

The statistics quoted here include uniformed personnel employed under the Defence Act serving in the SANDF and civilians working in the Department of Defence.

Figures in percentages have been rounded off.

These comments were made by officers attending the Senior Command and Staff Course in a Military Employment Survey conducted in July 2004.

Department of Defence, Official Personnel Statistics as at 1 June 2007, DHQ, Pretoria.

These numbers may look impressive, but often even if they wear the green beret of the Infantry, they serve in support roles.

Statistics obtained form Chief Directorate Equal Opportunities, Defence Headquarters, Pretoria.

At the recent Gender Conference on Soliciting Male Support for Gender Equality in August 2008, women reacted with applause when it was mentioned that women do not want quotas and to be forced in combat musterings.

Television interview with Major Ria Vivier, Carte Blanche, M-Net, Documentary entitled Major Sex Scandal, 17 August 2003.

No incidences reported in the latest DOD Annual Report, 2007/8.

Another is that they are the children of the conscript generation and negative perceptions of the military may affect their choice.

One of the commanders interviewed mentioned that he had to withdraw a largely female contingent from an operation in the DRC when the women felt threatened by a group of Mai-Mai who took off all their clothes in front of the women.