Themba Matanzima - Like a true soldier, Lt-Gen Themba Matanzima declares that he will have to keep his cellphone on while being interviewed, in case his superior calls.

His office, complete with a big-screen television, is as large as that of an influential CEO.

A huge difference, however, is that to get to the general, one has to pass through a small nature reserve within the perimeter of the Joint Operations’ Divisional headquarters at Thaba Tshwane, near Centurion.

J-Ops, as the division is commonly known, is responsible for planning the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) missions, both internal and external. Equipment and personnel are supplied to the army, air force, navy and the South African Military Health Services for operations.

Matanzima speaks with pride about the mission in Burundi. The bulk of SA’s 1100 troops are due to return this month, unless the government decides otherwise. Burundi has an inclusive government now and will be less reliant on SA’s peacekeeping force.

Since 2001, when SA first deployed to Burundi , the mission fell under the aegis of the African Union and later the United Nations (UN). With the guns now almost completely silent, only a small contingent will remain, mainly for VIP protection.

“As far as we are concerned, we have done a great job. The people of Burundi have elected their own government and we think that peace will last for some time,” Matanzima says.

He says the South African military feels over stretched.

Almost 3000 soldiers and officers are presently on external missions ­ and they are required at home to ensure the troops rotate and get further training.

To address this, the military is urging a rethink of its structure with the possibility of increasing the permanent force and using the reserve force. However, although members of the reserve force are also deployed on external missions, using them more often will require an upgrading of skills.

Matanzima speaks with deliberate slowness. Despite an acknowledgment by his aide that he is slightly edgy, there is no sign of discomfort. He is self-assured and forthright. Only later is his initial foreboding revealed.

Journalists, he says, hardly make for comfortable company, as some will even quote an inappropriate aside.

Former president Nelson Mandela is his uncle. Former Transkei bantustan strongman Kaiser Matanzima was also a relation. He now prefers to leave Mandela alone.

“Because he’s old I don’t ask for time to see him. If I phone Mandla Mandela it’s enough to ask, ‘Is the old man OK?’”

Described by his staff as a Christian and a gentleman, Matanzima has been in his current position since 2007. He joined the Transkei Defence Force after matriculating in 1977 and was chief of the force with the rank of major-general when it was integrated after 1994 *1.

He heads joint operations at what may be the military’s busiest time. Last year it deployed in response to the xenophobic violence and assisted the police bring down the number of cash-in-transit heists.

The SANDF is also deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a UN mission . In addition, it is training a battalion and assisting the Congolese military with management issues.

In the Central African Republic, the SANDF is upgrading soldiering skills .

The SANDF has been unable to contribute more troops to the UN’s commission in Darfur, Sudan , due to problems with sleeping quarters. But there are ongoing negotiations with the UN for such facilities. “As soon as we do that we will increase our personnel there from 635 to 805 and then we will see if they still want more,” says Matanzima.

He says the South African Navy has not taken part in any operations off the pirate-hit Somali coast. “As of now the navy has not been asked to prepare for that mission. Maybe later, but as of now we are not involved.”

The 2010 Soccer World Cup will also require the SANDF’s expertise . But Matanzima refuses to confirm that unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, will be used to monitor the crowds.

In September the SANDF is hosting a brigade from each of 11 southern African countries in an exercise meant to prepare for a regional contribution to the African Standby Force due to be operationalised next year.

This is the biggest such exercise and the other armies will bring their own weapons and equipment to SA.

Although the military stood down from border duties in March , it has not left the Zimbabwean border. “We have had requests from some ministers that soldiers should go back to the border so that they can release police to reduce the level of crime, especially going towards 2010,” Matanzima says.

Screening for HIV ahead of external deployments has brought the military on a collision course with its unions and activists. Last year the Pretoria High Court declared the policy unlawful and instructed the military to come up with new guidelines.

Matanzima says the new regulations will soon be released. But until then, the old policy applies in order to protect soldiers from the harsh conditions in operational areas . “What we see, even after an internal deployment, is that when they come back, their health status deteriorates. So how much more if you take the person outside the country?”

Under former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, morale among soldiers plummeted, particularly over the failure to address salary issues. But Matanzima says enthusiasm is high among soldiers he sees who are due for deployment. “They are eager to go and work, outside and internally.”

Soldiers’ remuneration is under review. “Broadly, I know also that the defence staff council and the minister are trying to address the question of low salaries,” he says.

African National Congress secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has hinted at a looming shake up in the defence force, to get rid of old-order officers, including those from the former bantustans.

Matanzima says all soldiers should have an equal chance at deployment, regardless of previous affiliations.

“We have seen a great improvement, especially with the army, where you find the bulk of the forces. But there are a lot of youngsters coming through.”

The military skills development system , introduced in 2003, was aimed at rejuvenating the military by increasing its intake of matriculants.

A works regiment being established will utilise some soldiers no longer eligible for external deployment.

As his phone rings, Lt-Gen Matanzima turns his back, saying “That’s my chief.”

Matanzima is married, with five children, whom he admits to not seeing often as he is constantly travelling to visit troops.

With acknowledgements to The Weekender.