Two Northern Cape youngsters successfully made it to the land training during the two-day South African Navy Recruitment Drive that is taking place at the Karen Muir Swimming Pool in Kimberley.
TWO NORTHERN Cape youngsters, Giovanni Macaleni and Jennilee van Nel, were the only candidates who successfully made it to the land training during the South African Navy Recruitment Drive.
The two-day recruitment drive, which started on Thursday, is taking place at the Karen Muir Swimming Pool in Kimberley.
Macaleni and Van Nel, who are both 21 years old, managed to outperform 26 other candidates who participated in the drive on Thursday.
The public relations officer for the recruitment drive, Lieutenant Depheney Maja, said they are looking for at least 100 recruits from the Northern Cape to try to get into the navy.
“The South African Navy is currently crisscrossing the country in search of potential divers. The national drive started on Monday, April 24 and will end on Tuesday, May 30, 2023,” said Maja.
“Divers are integral to any missions and operations of the South African Navy and their invaluable functions include, among others, underwater and coastal reconnaissance, search and rescue, clearance diving, demolitions and salvage operations. This is not a regular SANDF recruitment drive but a specific, targeted search that seeks to recruit diverse candidates for the SA Navy.”
Maja said potential candidates should have passed Grade 12 with mathematics, and not Mathematics Literature, as one of the passed subjects. They should also be South African citizens and be between the ages of 18 and 22.
Maja said potential candidates who are older than 22 should be in possession of a tertiary qualification, but they should not be older than 26.
She added that candidates will have to successfully complete the swimming as well as physical training in order to be selected.
“Potential candidates are required to bring swimming costumes and physical training attire – a T- shirt, shorts and running shoes – as they will be put through a selection process that
will include physical training and water activities.
“For the water activities, they will be required to conduct a 300 metres freestyle swim, 50 metres snorkel swim, 50 metres swim with a diving mask full of water, 25 metres under-water swim and a 50 metres weight-belt swim.
“For the physical activities, they will be required to conduct a 2.4km run in under 13 minutes and perform 40 push-ups, 50 sit-ups and seven pull-ups.
“Successful candidates will be subjected to the human resources recruitment process and will form part of the 2024 Military Skills Development Intake,” said Maja.
Macaleni, who hails from De Aar, said the recruitment drive has provided a wonderful career opportunity for him.
“Work is very scarce in our Province. I have been playing provincial rugby to keep fit. I chose to be part of the navy as it is a great option for youth who are fitness conscious,” said Macaleni.
Van Nel, who is from Kimberley, said that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and she opted to grab it.
“I am currently a hockey coach at Adamantia High School and this is an opportunity I could not let pass. I am elated about my progress in the drive,” said Van Nel.
The drive continues on Friday, starting at 10am.
