Current perspectives on conceptualisations such as collective security, global security, regional security and human security have prompted scholars and policymakers to think about security beyond the military protection of the sovereign authority of the state. South Africa is widely accepted as a leading role player in Africa and has, since the successful democratic elections in 1994, increasingly become engaged in a wide range of activities on the continent, and particularly in efforts to resolve conflicts. South Africa, as a member of the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations, must ensure that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is designed and structured not only to conduct autonomous operations but also has the capability to project forces as part of multinational operations. In order to provide the required forces for these diverse tasks, the SANDF must ensure that it is correctly structured and sustained to execute its assigned duties, now as well as in the future.