COALITION FOR DEFENCE ALTERNATIVES

Executive Summary

One of the key challenges facing South Africa's democratic government has been the transformation of the "defence" establishment inherited from the apartheid era into an effective agent for peace and human security. Although much progress has been achieved, a great deal more remains to be done if South Africa's security forces and defence-related industries are become facilitators of security and development in the nation and the region.

This briefing paper identifies some of the key issues affecting the progress of defence transformation. It also proposes specific strategies for the enhancement of genuine human security throughout the region. In particular, it calls on the Ministry of Defence to:

• Work closely with community representatives, civil society and the Department of Public Works to accelerate the redevelopment of redundant military bases for the benefit of adjacent communities. The Ministry is encouraged to call upon the World Bank, Economists Allied for Arms Reduction (USA), and South African businesses for assistance in this endeavour.
  
• Acknowledge the dismal international record of offset programmes, abandon the proposed purchase of R30 billion in high-tech weaponry, and consider alternative ways of using these funds to stimulate job creation in labour-intensive industries and to protect South Africa's natural resources.
  
• Phase out the costly and destructive manufacture of armaments and redeploy these resources in other sectors.
  
• Give priority to the development of non-military approaches to peacemaking throughout the region by harnessing the skills of civil society organisations and by sharing with neighbouring countries South Africa's expertise in conflict resolution, reconciliation, and building democratic institutions.