The SA Navy will be hosting the Sea Power for Africa Symposium in Cape Town (14 to 18 Oct) this year. This Symposium will see Chiefs of Navies of all African countries invited, as well as all BRICS members and those countries that the SA Navy regularly exercises with. /20
Lobese also wants to make Navy Festival a more inclusive cultural experience, including foreign naval ships. The Navy has not held a Navy Festival at Simon's Town for many years. A smaller event planned at the Waterfront was cancelled last year due to the submarine tragedy. /19
"That is why our government must capacitate the South African Navy with more funds, more ships, better and more modern equipment and more personnel." /18
"Our country’s largest external security threat will come from our seas, and not from land. If we cannot secure our coastline, the consequences for our country will be disastrous." /17
Lobese noted that on the previous morning, 1,528 ships were in SA's EEZ. SA is located at a strategic geographic choke-point around the world & "international fleets of ships who come at night and strip our seas of fish." /16
I personally think that further acquisitions in such numbers is just wishful thinking with no chance of fruition. But, he must say it. IPVs and OPVs are more useful than frigates for local patrols and many anti-piracy duties. /15
The SA Navy is christening it's third and final Inshore Patrol Vessel today. Lobese says that the Navy "must repeat the message that in order to do our Constitutional Mandate effectively, we need at least 15 of these vessels, as well as 15 larger OffShore Patrol Vessels." /14
SA Navy members were also encouraged to obtain official passports so that they would be eligible for Foreign Learning Opportunities. /13
"No Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Wasteful Expenditure and I cannot in good faith allow this to continue." /12