A beaming Defence Minister Musiuoa Lekota could not conceal his pride as he boarded the SA Navy's latest R1.5 billion acquisition, the SAS Amatola, for the first time.

Lekota agreed with experts that it should improve the country's capability to combat pirate ships and smuggling.

The corvette arrived last week in Cape Town, but it was not until yesterday that Lekota found time to see it.

"I feel very happy for the country and privileged to receive this outstanding vessel."

The Amatola would initially be used mainly to patrol South Africa's vast coastline, Lekota said. Its modern capabilities would enable the navy to monitor the movements of any pirate ships in South African waters and intercept vessels carrying poached marine life.

Lekota said the crew on the Amatola would be the first to be truly representative of South Africa's race groups.

"This is a vindication of all our attempts to achieve transformation in the navy," he said.

Transformation of the entire navy, however, would take time to achieve.

With acknowledgements to the Staff Writer and the Cape Times.