DEFENCE and Military Veterans minister Lindiwe Sisulu's suggestion that military service be brought back for school leavers is a good initiative because it will deal with unemployment .

Sisulu is right when she says most people involved in service-delivery protests are idle youths, who have nothing to do.

We have different government departments dealing with security issues, that is why I don't agree with PAC general secretary Mfanelo Skwasha, who says such a plan will backfire.

Military training will also enhance discipline and strengthen patriotism among the youth. This will help all the government departments.

In the SAPS, for example, we need disciplined officers who we can be proud of .

That is where the youth can be utilised. They can serve at least three to four years in the SANDF and then be transferred to other government departments.

That alone will save the government millions of rands when it comes to the training of these individuals, because they will already have received defence training and the only thing they will need would be workshops about policies, Acts and orders in these other departments.

This also means that they will have to spend too much time being trained in the other departments.

And above all, the government will be creating employment for the youth because no one will find themselves on the street if they have military skills.

The minister's plan, if implemented properly, should be supported by all the citizens of this beautiful country.

Moferefere Moeketsi, Ennerdale