We’re Under Constant Bombardment in Cyberspace, Says South African Army Chief

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Chief of the South African Army (CSSA), Lieutenant General Lawrence Khulekani Mbatha, has said South Africa, and indeed the African continent, was under constant bombardment in cyberspace, underscoring the growing importance of cyber defence capabilities.

Speaking during a working visit to Nigeria, Mbatha also expressed interest in studying the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command model, noting that such capabilities could provide useful insights for South Africa’s defence structure.

“In South Africa, signals capability currently sits within Defence Intelligence, but the need for cyber capability is clear. We are under constant bombardment in cyberspace,” he said.

He explained that South Africa was still undergoing a transformational and transitional phase in building cyber capabilities, with resource allocation remaining a major challenge.

“The concept exists and the need is defined, but implementation is determined by available resources. From what I have learned here, based on your mandate and operational exposure, this capability is not just a concept but a reality. I will take this back into my own strategic environment where research is conducted,” he added.

Mbatha said the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, established in 2020, has made remarkable progress within a short period despite the resource-intensive nature of cyber operations.

Reflecting on historical challenges faced by African nations, he noted that the legacy of nearly 300 years of history continued to shape present realities.

“To correct that in three months or even three years will be costly and will take generations,” he said, using a cultural analogy to stress that even those who joined later in a traditional dance still contributed to the rhythm.

He further highlighted the collective spirit of the South African Army, noting that its identity was symbolised by the pride of lions, which hunted and operated collectively when confronting threats.

Earlier, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General Kennedy Osemwegie, welcomed the delegation and described the visit as historic.

He noted that Nigeria and South Africa shared decades of defence cooperation and expressed hope that the engagement would deepen collaboration, particularly in exchange programmes and strategic partnerships.

Mbatha and his delegation also visited the Nigerian Army Museum and the National Defence College Nigeria during the trip.