The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) encompasses the country’s armed forces. Their main acting purpose is to defend the nation of South Africa from external military threats.
However, their work extends further than just internal threats. Sometimes, by the President’s command, they may be deployed locally to keep order. South Africa witnessed such a situation in the earliest days of the Covid-19 lockdown.
National Defence soldiers were deployed locally to enforce the restriction of movement of South Africans as attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19 were being made. This was a period of major controversy as many complained of the treatment from National Defence forces during such a tough time.
Despite this, the role of a soldier can still be a noble pursuit if done correctly. For one who seeks to do their part in such a role, they can expect a decent salary. South African soldiers are said to earn a monthly salary of between around R11 923 - R12 158, which is said to be about 11% above the national average.
Nonetheless, there are physical and sometimes even mental sacrifices that may come with such a role, which should be taken into consideration when deciding on this career path.
