South Africa’s “Project Thusano” programme, initially focused on the maintenance and repair of the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) fleet of operational vehicles, has evolved into a costly and controversial project that includes costly add-ons such as training soldiers as medical practitioners and mechanical engineers in Cuba. The programme, which was launched in 2012 and was supposed to last five years, has already cost taxpayers more than R2.6 billion.
The Auditor-General’s Office has informed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) that the Department of Defence is still reviewing the bilateral agreement between South Africa and Cuba, “Project Thusano”, and all associated subcontracts. According to the Auditor-General’s representative, Mbali Tsotetsi, recommendations have been made to the Minister of Defence to review all agreements, and this review is ongoing.
The reassessment follows concerns that the initial project has evolved into costly and complex supplementary arrangements, including the training of South African soldiers in Cuba in medical and engineering fields. While the bilateral agreement between the two countries indicates defence cooperation without specifying the terms, the supplementary arrangements detail processes that the Auditor-General said should have been subject to competitive bidding processes or deviations to justify the use of Cuban services.
It has emerged that some South African Defence Force personnel have been sent to Cuba for medical studies, but the qualifications obtained are not always recognised in South Africa, resulting in additional costs for maintaining these skills. In addition, gaps in programme planning and delivery have led to situations where graduates are unable to practise in their field due to the lack of recognition of qualifications.
This situation highlights the need for a clear strategy for integrating trained professionals into the workforce, as well as better planning to meet South Africa’s health and engineering needs. International cooperation is essential, but it must be done in accordance with national standards and requirements to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of the investments made.
In conclusion, the review of “Project Thusano” and its associated agreements is crucial to ensure that the financial contributions of South African taxpayers translate into tangible and sustainable benefits for the country. Better management of training and international cooperation programmes is essential to ensure effective skills development and a positive impact on national defence and security.