21 May 2004: No 28/04

TAKE NOTE

PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE 2004

The DOD has approved the appointment and promotion of the under-mentioned officers in the respective posts with effect from the dates as indicated:

Chief Corporate Staff

95714671PE Lt Gen T.T. Matanzima, SA ST C ARMY, currently Chief of Joint Support, is appointed as Chief Corporate Staff with effect from 01 June 2004.

Director Corporate Communication

94682614PE Col V.R. Masondo, SA Army, previously SSO Remuneration at Directorate Personnel Maintenance (DPM) is appointed as Director Corporate Communication (DCC) and promoted to the rank of Brig Gen with effect from 01 May 2004.

The Minister of Defence, Mr Mosiuoa Lekota and C SANDF, Gen Siphiwe Nyanda congratulate the officers concerned.

SMOKING AND COMBAT READINESS

Members who are deployed in operational areas do not show typical clinical symptoms of some of the common chronic illnesses caused by smoking. 

This does not imply that smoking is not a threat to military operations. 

Occupational health and safety doctrine calls for a fit, healthy force that is combat ready.  This means behaviour that is a risk to one’s health, such as smoking, lack of hearing protection and irresponsible sexual behaviour, must be addressed to prevent the increase in smoking-related diseases, hearing loss and HIV distribution.

It is critical to improve the resistance and resilience of members.

In the operational areas disease and non-battle injuries cause more casualties than combat and peace support operations.  Upper respiratory tract infections have been, and are still, among the main causes of occurring illnesses in all services, divisions and peace support operations.

Smoking is associated with an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, resulting in more and more duty days lost.  Many other associated illnesses, such as asthma and heart disease are complicating factors that may lead to temporary and permanent medical unfitness and the loss of valuable manpower.

Smoking is therefore a major health threat in the context of combat readiness.  Commanding officers and health care professionals must focus on programmes to prevent members from starting to smoke, and help smokers to quit.  These should be the main objectives for unit readiness and for the health of soldiers and other DOD employees.

Remember No Tobacco Day on 31 May 2004.

Compiled by Brig Gen F. Meyer, D OHS.