ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the contemporary history of the South African Air Force (SAAF) since South Africa’s watershed transition in 1994. It concentrates on the following: first, the role of the SAAF in the dynamic post-1994 politico-military landscape; second, the challenges facing the SAAF in relation to changing regional realities since 1994; and last, contemporary public perceptions and socioeconomic challenges in South Africa that are politically constraining the SAAF in its current role and strategic responsibilities. Amid concerned whispers of a weakened military in South Africa, it is of interest to study military data taken from public domain print and other user contributions. Data from Global Power Firepower indicates South Africa’s military as the 33rd “strongest” worldwide and the 3rd “strongest” in Africa, below Egypt and Algeria. In 1994, the new South African government—with former President Nelson Mandela as head of state—wished to identify South Africa with the promotion of human rights, peace, and development on the African continent.
