The first-ever Information Communication Technology upgrade project, which lasted for a period of four months and nine days, and which was launched at Air Force Base Hoedspruit residential area on 17 January 2023, was officially handed over to the South African Air Force on 26 May 2023, by Mr Charl Stebbing who represented the BTSA Company.
Accepting a quality assurance certificate, project acceptance letter, scope of work and the bill of material, which symbolised completion and finalisation of the project, was the project manager, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Phaladi Lediga, who represented the Command Management Information Systems Division on behalf of the South African Air Force.
Also, present to receive the project acceptance letter was the Acting Officer Commanding Air Force Base Hoedspruit, Colonel Enrico Gherbavaz, who extended his appreciation to Mr Charl Stebbing, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Phaladi Lediga and all other project members who took part in ensuring the success of the project. “Well done to you all on sterling work done,” he said.
Amongst those who took part in the success of the project were, four technicians from BTSA Company, four members including a technician from Air Force Base Hoedspruit, two members from the Command Management Information Systems Division, two members from Directorate Command Control Systems, Air Command, and members from the local community, stated Lieutenant Colonel Lediga.
Lieutenant Colonel Lediga further mentioned that the objectives of the project were, to cut over from Telkom to the Department of Defence Infrastructure, optic fibre backbone and to migrate voice over internet protocol (VOIP) to the airman office.
The upgrade covered the following areas within the Drankesig residential area of Hoedspruit: Airman’s Mess, Hoedspruit Health Centre, Officer’s Mess, Drakensig Community Hall, Hoedspruit Food Factory Services and the Military Police Division.
Initially, the South African Air Force was paying Telkom a hefty amount on a monthly basis, and now, there will be no more payments from the South African Air Force for a lifetime, stated Lieutenant Colonel Lediga.
Moreover, Lieutenant Colonel Lediga said that “despite three major incidents which occurred during the period including that of a member who was injured while on duty, other notable incidents were caused by heavy rains, but, that didn’t disrupt the swift moving of the project, but we ended up achieving the outcome of the project. A job well done to all of us indeed.”
According to Major William Mkhonjwa Masombuka from Directorate Command Control Systems, Air Command, “It was the first time in the history of the South African Air Force to launch a project of this magnitude, especially migrating to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) which became successful at Air Force Base Hoedspruit.”
Major Masombuka added that future projects are planned to take place within the SA Air Force Bases and Units Infrastructure, pending approval and availability of funds.
To date, all Department of Defence Infrastructure is migrating from current voice and data services (copper) to Voice Over Internet Protocol (fibre), stated Major Masombuka.
Sergeant Nelisa Sibiya from Air Force Base Hoedspruit who was also part of the project said that “she supports the new change of systems as this would impact positively in bettering communication over the Department of Defence network while at the same time, saving costs.”
