Rooivalk attack helicopters hover overhead during a military simulation exercise during the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 Trade and Exhibition at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on 18 September 2024. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP The R372 million allocated for the upcoming Defence Force Day parade this month has been criticised as a “mind-boggling” and “grotesque” waste of taxpayers’ money – but others see it as an excellent opportunity to showcase the country’s defence capabilities. The parade, scheduled for 21 February in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, has been slammed by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, calling the spending excessive and unnecessary.
The federation called for it to be cancelled and the funds allocated to more urgent priorities to improve conditions and strengthen the force’s capacity, given the threat the country faces. “Blowing R372 million on a one-day parade will take wasteful expenditure to new lows for the SANDF and the nation. “This tone-deaf wasting of scarce resources is an insult to the thousands of members of the SANDF who are struggling under some of the most extreme circumstances due to budget cuts and mismanagement.
“SANDF peacekeeping forces deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo lost lives because of a lack of working air support and armour. “The same soldiers saw the SANDF pocket half of their United Nations’ allowances, to add salt to the wound.” The sum could be better used to rebuild the force’s capacity. “A R372 million ego trip for some painfully out-of-touch generals is simply unacceptable, more so after the 2% VAT hike fiasco of 2025, motivated by the government needing additional funds for front-line public services,” Parks said.
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Defence expert Helmoed-Römer Heitman said the amount was more than in previous years, which suggests some displays not included previously and some standing costs. “In general, armed forces days are useful to give the public a look at the forces and can be good recruiting opportunities. Also, much of the cost will typically cover activities required to keep the forces trained,” Heitman said.
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