A momentous occasion in the SANDF transformation agenda recently passed without much fanfare amid growing murmurs and protestations over perceived affirmative action appointments to top positions.
However, in appointing Major-General Fabian Zimpande Msimang to become the first black person to the position of chief of the SA Air Force (SAAF), the country’s transformation of its vital institutions into truly demographically representative ones was enhanced.
A mere 20 years ago, it would have been totally inconceivable that a Soweto-born lad who underwent military training at the revered Frunze Military Academy in the former USSR, qualifying as a helicopter pilot, would occupy the zenith of the SAAF.
Msimang is also the son of former ANC treasurer-general and high commissioner to the UK Mendi Msimang.
The SAAF plays a crucial role in the overall make-up of the SANDF. In terms of seniority, the SAAF is the second in the four arms of our military structures. It comes second after what is generally known as the “army”, or ground troops, and is followed by the SA Navy and SA Military Health Services.
This, then, points to enormous responsibility which has been put on the shoulders of Msimang, a former MK cadre who rose through the ranks of the SAAF since he was integrated along with scores of MK, Apla and Azanla cadres following the advent of our democracy.
His appointment also enforces belief and confidence among his former colleagues in the bush who must be feeling that they, too, can rise through the ranks with a bit more hard work.
Msimang kicked off his career in the SAAF as officer commanding at the Bloemspruit Air Force Base in Bloemfontein.
He was later transferred to the SAAF HQ in Pretoria and became director of helicopter systems before he was promoted to major-general: chief director air policy and plans before his latest accolade.
Elated former guerrilla fighters in the SANDF view Msimang’s appointment as a morale booster, particularly in the light of simmering tensions, race relations as well as ideological tensions between former members of the non-statutory and statutory forces.
Msimang’s former MK colleagues describe him as a soft-spoken but quite erudite person who is easily affable. They say he is a good listener and a team player who believes in the principles of collective leadership. However, they are also concerned about his benign attitude toward discipline.
“He hates to hurt other people,” said a former MK commissar who is currently serving in the SAAF. “He can be gentle but will have to be firm.”
Indeed, Msimang’s work is cut out. It is not going to be easy to fill the shoes of Lieutenant-General Carlo Gagiano, a career fighter pilot who is thus far the longest serving chief of the SAAF. But Msimang can also take heart from knowing that Gagiano, too, rose through the ranks. In 1979, whilst still a Captain in the old SA Defence Force (SADF), Gagiano flew the Impala fighter jet during a dramatic air raid of MK’s Novo Katengue military training camp in Angola. Two soldiers, one a Cuban and the other a popular MK cadre better known as Comrade Chairman Mao, were killed.
Among those who survived the air raid were the late Lieutenant-General Sipho Binda, who was the SANDF’s chief of joint operations, and Lieutenant-General Vusi Nkabinde, the current head of the SANDF’s human resources. They were both unit commanders at the time.
Among Msimang”s immediate challenges as he takes over in October will be to reposition the SAAF in relation to its latter-day peacetime environment.
The biggest challenge appears to be in the maritime air defence. Its glaring failures are manifested in the state’s annual loss of revenue, the threat to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), trading routes and growing piracy. Based on the outcome of his environmental scanning, Msimang would need to determine the kind of aircraft required in order to fulfil the national security objectives of the democratic government.
He will have to ensure that our SAAF is successful in its peacekeeping missions in places such as Burundi, the DRC and Sudan, among others, where our country has a mandate to participate through multilateral co-operations.
Starting in October, the fate of the head of state, President Jacob Zuma, his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, as well as the new minister of defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will be like water in the palm of his hand.
For, it is the SAAF’s responsibility to fly particularly these three, and previous reports of some technical problems with some presidential flights have not done any good to the image and public standing of the SAAF.
Still on the VIP air transport issue involving the presidency, there is growing concern with the SAAF that the VIP squadron urgently needs to be transformed. Although at the top of various arms of the SANDF are black faces, the core functions are still perceived to be lily-white.
Given the need for more quick reach and agility in fulfilling SA’s diplomatic engagements in the region, continent and the world, the present fleet clearly needs to be either re-equipped or replaced, if the budget permits.
Msimang’s success or failure will also be judged on his transformation of the SAAF’s overall demography.
Last year, the parliamentary committee on defence lambasted the outgoing SAAF chief for the slow pace of transformation. Since 1994, the SAAF has produced only one black fighter pilot. Parliament also pointed out woeful gender representation at the management levels and demanded remedial action to be undertaken expeditiously.
Debatable insufficient budget allocations have been a concern for the SAAF.
SA has bought very expensive state-of-the-art fighter jets and helicopters. This was done in line with the constitutional requirement to ensure a balanced and well-equipped SANDF for the country’s defence needs.
However, and sadly, these systems were brought into service without relevant operational funding. Msimang’s challenge in this regard will be to fathom innovative ways aimed at optimal use of the platforms. Failure by the government to provide funding – if they should and can – could be whittled down to the fundamental failure by the first black chief of the SAAF to put things right.
In the final analysis, Msimang”s background and his ability to galvanise support and put together a team to lead collectively could work in his favour.
Many members of the former statutory forces from the old SADF and the Bantustans are particularly aggrieved by their perceived “apartheid surrogate” tags and lack of upward mobility despite their arguably better experience.
This concern cannot simply be ignored. The French Revolution’s General Napoleon Bonaparte once explained the secret behind his army’s success. “Hard work, dedication and loyalty” were the three most important ingredients he demanded from his men. The advice is free, Lieutenant-General Msimang. Good luck and goodbye.
l Makoe is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Royal News Services.