Members of the South African Naval Headquarters in Pretoria have joined the international 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign.
During the opening prayer at the stately Naval Mess building, Chaplain Nyaniso Gwazilitye, called for:
Change (in) this country, so that we can change the society of South Africa, so that we can change the behaviour that is taking place within our organisations for abusing our people in so many ways.
A naval captain lit three candles, the first one for, ”all those who have died because of HIV,” the second, for those “that are living with the virus,” and the third one for hope.
Rear Admiral Bernard H. Teuteberg, the navy’s Chief Director, Maritime Strategy, said in his keynote address:
We can end violence against women if we stand together. We can no longer just speak about the subject. Unless we commit ourselves, we actually go over to some form of action, we demand human rights, we demand that our women are protected, we will be in trouble, as a nation, as a society.
Lighting Three Candles For HIV Victims
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Speaking to Digital Journal, Teuteberg described how the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in general, and the navy in particular, could contribute:
I think it’s in many spheres that we can make a difference. I think our Military Skills Development (MSD) system, where we take in young people and we bring them into the Navy for two years … what happens is that through the MSD system we believe we are able to instill values, because we’re a value-based organisation … we believe we need to spend time with the young people of our country, in educating (them). But above all else, it’s in setting the example, of the leadership of the Navy, being up front there, showing the people that this is how we deal with each other, in a humane and dignified manner.
I then asked Teuteberg a tougher question, about serious cases of disorderly conduct:
reported among SANDF members on peacekeeping missions. The Admiral proudly pointed out the example set by his service:
First of all, I would like to say that the South African Navy has been involved in sending Navy people to the peace mission areas and none of them have been involved or ever been indicted in ill-discipline.
He added:
The reality is that the defence force reflects society to a certain extent. What happens in society cannot be ignored and we take in from society, so we reflect the value-systems of society at the time. The difference we make is we take those individuals from society, whether it’s army, air force, whatever, and we educate them to their civil responsibilities, their social responsbilities etc, and sometimes we fail. Yes, we do.
Rear Admiral Bernard H Teuteberg, South African Navy
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Arguing that the service men and women who do their jobs well are “rarely commented upon,” Teuteberg said:
You can be assured, we as a defence force will act, against ill-discipline or any form of abuse, we cannot tolerate this. If we are sent to do peacekeeping, we need to instill trust, not only in those people but in the people back home as well, because we’re funded to do exactly that.
But he asked for a fair appraisal as well:
So, I’m asking that we need to also recognise that over the years thousands of South African youngsters have gone on peace missions, whether it’s Burundi, DRC, Sudan – doesn’t matter where – and did the job professionally.
