Lekota lauds Navy’s defence readiness

Defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota says the South African National Defence Force is not only now ready to fulfil its tasks, but will be ready for years to come. This includes readiness for military as well as peacekeeping operations. Lekota delivered the welcoming address in Simon’s Town this morning after the arrival from Germany of the first of South Africa’s three new submarines. Lekota said the crew’s ability to sail more than six-thousand nautical miles from Kiel in Germany was proof that they were ready to secure South Africa at sea and to safeguard the ships from many nations making use of the Cape sea route.