Rebranding of South Africa-Cuba Military Training Project Raises Concerns

Project Thusano has been renamed Project Kgala despite a report indicating R1.7 billion in irregular expenditure. The initiative aims to provide military training to South African forces through collaboration with Cuba. Although the DoD asserts that the initiative will enhance capabilities, concerns over training quality and financial management persist.

The South African skills transfer initiative, previously known as Project Thusano, has been rebranded as Project Kgala despite a critical report by the Auditor-General highlighting R1.7 billion in irregular expenditure. This initiative, which began in January 2012, aimed to provide professional transport and medical training services to the Department of Defence (DoD) personnel in Cuba and has formally transitioned under the new contract effective January this year.

Project Kgala is justified by the DoD as a continuation of the historic ties established by Project Thusano. The Department emphasized that the collaboration with Cuba is essential for enhancing the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) operational capabilities, particularly in skills development and self-sustainability amidst numerous challenges in military training and funding.

The Auditor-General’s report revealed that irregular expenditures amounted to R1.7 billion, primarily due to a lack of proper cost-benefit analysis and poor record-keeping by the DoD. The report indicated R1 billion in professional training services and R600 million in vocational training contributed to this figure. In response, DoD officials indicated that they had amended these issues by reducing costs and streamlining administrative processes.

Major concerns were raised regarding the quality of training received by South African students in Cuba, with findings suggesting that students sent for military and medical training did not meet local standards. Many incurred excessive costs, with some spending significantly more than if they had trained in South Africa, while success rates for courses remained low.

Legislators expressed skepticism regarding the efficacy of the project. Opposition members criticized the DoD for renaming the project without meaningful changes, suggesting that it retains the same flaws, thus questioning whether South Africa has benefitted from this endeavor over the last decade.

In summary, Project Thusano’s rebranding to Project Kgala highlights ongoing challenges within the South African military training initiative. The Auditor-General’s report documenting significant irregular expenditures and concerns over training quality raises scrutiny over the DoD’s strategies. Despite reassurances of improved management and cost efficiency, doubts persist regarding the project’s effectiveness and the tangible benefits to the South African military personnel over the years.

Original Source: www.citizen.co.za