<\/p>\n
The National Security Strategy for the period between 2019 and 2024 had warned the government that South Africa\u2019s main project of democratic dispensation remained to be ensuring a better life for all citizens.<\/p>\n
The document released on Tuesday by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said if political emancipation was translated into economic well-being for all citizens, there was a need in turn to understand the direct relationship between security and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt must be emphasised that, an absence of security gives rise to low economic development, weak state institutions and an incapacitated state.<\/p>\n
“The converse also holds true; stability and security create conditions conducive to democracy, economic development, prosperity and the well-being of the citizens,\u201d reads the document.<\/p>\n
The National Security Strategy observed that South Africans continued to face serious threats to their wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrganised crime and general high levels of crime, food insecurity, bio-safety and diseases, gender based violence terrorism are amongst such noted threats.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also said there was an emergence of disregard for the authority of the State by some in the South African society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis results in lawlessness and is exacerbated by the slow and inefficient application of justice. It creates opportune conditions for criminal elements and negative forces to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also said the threat to socio-economic stability was caused by, among others, violent community protests as well as instability in the labour, transport and education sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn increase in organised crime in the country continues to be a threat to the well-being and safety of all South Africans. Crime syndicates may change tactics to employ even more dangerous and sophisticated weapons systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
The strategy flagged gangsterism and warned that if it was not addressed, gangs will continue to occupy social spaces and create no-go areas and in turn fuel vigilantism as community\u2019s attempt to reclaim spaces and protect themselves from crimes perpetrated by gangs.<\/p>\n
It also named extortion as a threat along with substance abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an urgent need for South Africans to educate themselves about the dangers of the implications of substance abuse on morale fibre.\u201d<\/p>\n
The National Security Strategy further highlighted the challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment as the foremost challenges to the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis weighs heavily on the social, political and economic fabric of the country. The official unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world. The economy is not big enough to absorb the working force.\u201d<\/p>\n
The document also said the increasing unemployment, poor skills and other lack of opportunities were national security concern to the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe country\u2019s youth is experiencing a number of challenges that results into them engaging in nefarious activities such as crime, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gender violence and more. Furthermore, they are also wittingly and unwittingly used by other forces for personal agendas such as political protests against the state or general crime such as sabotage to critical infrastructure and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
It warned that lack of or failure for government to intervene in the future of the South African youth through proper skilling and conducive environment to realise their dreams was the greatest threat not only to the country\u2019s national security, but also to the survival of the South African nation.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Security Strategy said in addressing the threats, the government\u2019s major project was to create a better life for all.<\/p>\n \u201cIf democratic South Africa\u2019s major project is to create a better life for all, then our people are both the object of this project as well as a major resource for achieving it.\u201d<\/p>\n While it concluded that South Africa remained a stable country, it had maintained that it faced a number of potential threats to its national security and interests.<\/p>\n \u201cThe risks to our national security through instability and insecurity are the under-pinning, causal issues that if unmitigated lead to the national security threats we have articulated above.\u201d<\/p>\n mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The National Security Strategy for the period between 2019 and 2024 had warned the government that South Africa\u2019s main project of democratic dispensation remained to be ensuring a better life for all citizens. The document released on Tuesday by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said if political emancipation was translated into economic well-being for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[12317,4889,598,51,11182,5898,2489],"class_list":["post-245842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-politics","tag-africa039s","tag-national","tag-security","tag-south","tag-ssa","tag-threats","tag-warned"],"yoast_head":"\n