Navy told to rejig application essentials

THE Limpopo High Court sitting in Polokwane has ruled that the South African Navy must revise its admission policy for its Military Skills Development programme.

In a groundbreaking judgment for those planning to join the programme, Deputy Judge President Fikile Mokgohloa declared the policy regarding requirements for applicants invalid. She gave the navy 12 months to revise it.

The navy has only allowed people aged 18 to 26 to apply. The Tebeila Institute of Leadership, Education, Governance and Training turned to the court as it felt this policy was against the constitution as it discriminated against those older than 26.

The programme is a two-year voluntary service assistance programme of the SANDF where recruits receive military and other training in a specific professional field.

During the second year, depending on the duration of their functional orientation, recruits are deployed where needed and given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and to develop their skills.

The navy, on its website to attract potential candidates, said this programme aimed at developing the youth by giving them a variety of skills.

Other requirements were that recruits had to be South African citizens, have Grade 12 with maths and physical science with at least level three for both.

Graduates must have a degree, a diploma or N6 in mechanical, marine or electrical engineering.

Tebeila attacked the admission requirements on the grounds that they were against the Bill of Rights which upheld the right to further education. Judge Mokgohloa said it was clear that the navy discriminated against applicants regarding their ages.

“Taking into consideration the educational history in our country, most of the youth between 18 and 26 have not yet graduated and are still battling to finish their degrees. By the time they graduate, they are already 26 or above.”

She said the navy needed an opportunity to revise its policy to make it compliant with the constitution.