Operation Vuselela – An overview Col Seakle K.B. Godschalk SSO Environmental Services Logistics Division November 2004

Scope Background What is Operation Vuselela Operation Vuselela role players Various Operation Vuselela coordinating committees Basic processes of Operation Vuselela DWAF contributions DOD contributions Other aspects

Background Working for Water Programme – eradication of alien invasive plants Also on some military properties Former Deputy Minister of Defence requested focus on military veterans Operation Vuselela – current budget RM10 per year Plenary Defence Staff Council Oct 2002

Background (cont’d) 14 Nov 2003 first meeting DOD Coordinating Committee Draft Agreement April 2004 C SANDF Directive 04/04 dd 6 Sep 04 Draft Procedures on Recruitment and Selection of veterans Roadshow

What is Operation Vuselela? A strategic partnership between the Dept of Defence and the Dept of Water Affairs & Forestry, in association with the various military veterans organisations, to clear invasive alien plants on military properties whilst empowering unemployed military veterans

Operation Vuselela role players Log Div – D Fac Log Sup Fmn – D Fac Sup Mnmgt Reg Env Mngmt [RFIM office] Support Base WfW/OV Head Office WfW Regional Office OV Project Managers Base Level Liaison Committee Regional WfW Forum OV Coordinating Committee OV Steering Committee Service Corps Regional Office Veterans regional offices Service Corps HQ Veterans organisations HO’s ServicesD MVA

DOD OV Coordinating Committee Representation –Directorate Facilities –Services –Service Corps –Directorate Military Veterans Affairs –Logistics Support Formation –Dept Water Affairs & Forestry/Operation Vuselela

DOD OV Coordinating Committee (2) Functions –Manage implementation of OV partnership –Consolidation and prioritisation nationally –Inter-departmental liaison –Report to and advise top management

DWAF Regional WfW Coordinating Committee Representation –WfW Regional Program Leader –WfW and OV Project Managers –National Strategic Partnership Rep’s –DOD Regional Environmental Manager Functions –Consolidate and prioritise regionally –Oversee and coordinate execution at local level

Base level OV Coordinating Committee Representation –OC of General Support Base –GSB Environmental Officer –OV Project Manager Functions –Identify and prioritise properties locally –Identify resources required –Input into APO –Ensure comprehensive approach

Base level OV Coordinating Committee (2) –Coordinate and oversee execution at local level –Sort out any problems –Ensure effective communication –Monitoring –Signing off –Record keeping of of DOD resources used –Ensure planning and budgeting for follow-up operations

Identification Prioritisation Mapping APO Budget Recruitment Appointment Execution Monitoring Follow-up The basic processes of Operation Vuselela Planning Implementation

DWAF contributions Operation Vuselela budget Appointments and labour relations Computers for project management Training of OV appointees Waterworks software and training Telephone/fax facilities for project manager Evacuation of medical casualties At least two follow-up clearings

DOD contributions Liaison officers at all levels Office accommodation and basic furniture for project manager Storage facilities for OV equipment and supplies Water carts [availability] Stabilisation of casualties Long-term maintenance

Other aspects Code of Ethics – in process Discipline, access control and local coordination Comprehensive approach: –Clearing of infestation –Removal of material –Rehabilitation [vegetation, erosion] –Revegetation If necessary, OV will consider >2 follow-ups

Other aspects (2) Neighboring properties might be included, if necessary Role of Dept of Public Works GSB must plan/budget for long-term maintenance Monitoring, quality control and signing off Dispute resolution – take to regional level DOD and WfW]

Other aspects (3) Damage to infrastructure – Board of Inquiry including WfW Investigative officer Keep record of all DOD resources used [standard format] Bridging arrangements –Current WfW teams – until contracts expire –Migrate into Op Vuselela

Conclusion Cooperative Partnership Mutual trust and respect Great opportunities: –DOD – clearing of invasive plants required by law –DWAF – achieve objectives of WfW –Veterans – employment and empowerment Let us grab this opportunity and build an excellent example of a multilateral partnership program for the benefit of our people and our environment