Nyanda Makes Way for 'Fresh Ideas'
FORMER South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief Gen Sphiwe Nyanda says his resignation created opportunities for President Thabo Mbeki to find new blood with fresh ideas for the army.
Nyanda said at the weekend he was hoping to use his departure to encourage a limit to the service period of chiefs of defence of between three and five years, in line with international trends.
"I stayed for seven years as chief and this was just too long," he said. "I believe I reached a stage where I felt the force needed someone with fresh ideas to build and sustain its strength and prestige."
Nyanda was the man largely responsible for steering the SANDF through the troubled waters of unification and transformation in the first few years of democracy.
He was replaced by SANDF chief of joint operations Lt-Gen Godfrey Ngwenya.
Nyanda said he hoped to take a long rest following his retirement.
He said he would contemplate writing a book about the challenges he faced transforming the old defence force into a new national military establishment.
He ruled out any return to government, saying he had held a high and challenging position, and there was no other post close to that level that was available in government.
"I also have no desire to find any job in government," he said.
Nyanda declined to comment on speculation that he would soon take up a senior position in the mining sector.
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06 Juillet 2005 à 13:20 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
