South African Deputy Defence Minister Thabang Makwetla to open Land Forces Africa in Johannesburg on Tuesday

South African Deputy Defence Minister Thabang Makwetla will deliver the keynote opening address at the Land Forces Africa conference and exhibition which is taking place in Johannesburg from Tuesday 29 May. The event will gather some 350 leading African defence force officials and security industry stakeholders to discuss the collaboration and streamlining of landward military operations in Southern Africa and further abroad, to counteract internal and external threats.

Says Land Forces Africa director Tracey-Lee Zurcher: "a renewed scramble for African resources has led to the continent becoming an arena for strategic and geopolitical competition which requires Africa to ready itself for possible multi-lateral conflicts within the next 10-15 years. For Africa to respond accordingly will require cooperation among African countries and across all military forces in order to protect lucrative natural resources and national wealth and as well to prevent internal conflict as a result of predicted overpopulation."

On Monday 28 May, a day before the Land Forces Africa conference starts, Prof Lindy Heinecken, Associate Professor of Sociology at Stellenbosch University, will present a workshop on "Military leadership and training for a collaborative SADC landward force". Says Prof Heinecken: "it is not sufficient to merely train military personnel today; they also need to be educated. A solid understanding of the legal, political, social and economic terrain is essential."

The conference programme will feature more than 30 industry experts, emphasising the push for a joint military approach in Africa, including:

• Lieutenant General Chander Prakash, Force Commander, MONUSCO, UN, Democratic Republic of Congo• Mr El Ghassim Wane, Director: Peace and Security, African Union, Ethiopia• Lieutenant General Vusimuzi Masondo, Chief of the South African Army• Major General Gaolathe Galebotswe, Commander of Ground Forces Command, Botswana Defence Force• Ambassador Sisa Ngombane, Deputy Director General – Africa Multi-Lateral, DIRCO• Martin Reeves, Manager: SA Army Portfolio, Armscor

Well-known security industry technology experts who will be there include representatives from SAAB, Denel, Grintek and BAE Systems.

Event dates and location28 May: Pre-conference workshop29-30 May: Conference and exhibitionGallagher Estate, Johannesburg, South AfricaEvent website: www.landforcesafrica.com

For more information or media accreditationCommunications manager: Annemarie RoodbolTel. +27 21 700 3558Fax. +27 21 700 3501Mobile: +27 82 562 7844Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.