To those who say that it is pointless to train for nothing, to train when we won't have a war.
Well let me share with you a saying from Sun Tzu's art of war. "train a solider for 100 days and use him for only 1 day"
Also what makes one so sure that one won't be involved in a conflict in one's lifetime?
Let me tell you a fictional story...
There are border disputes between 2 nations.... finally one day the generals of Nation A guarding the border decides enough is enough... and launches a massive invasion across the border. Nation B being defenseless as it's citizens doesn't believe in war and it loses ground rapidly. Citizens that try to defend themselves with make shift clubs and spears are captured and summarily executed as "spies".
The government of Nation A frantically tries to reach its renegade generals to order them to cease their operation but the orders are ignored. As the days go by and Nation B falls rapidly... there is a growing voice in the government of Nation A that since the act has been done... might as well go on with it..... The moderates are silenced and the hardliners throw their full support behind the Generals and more troops are committed to the campaign.
So finally Nation B falls and Nation A's army stays on as "liberators".
The United Nations hold meetings and make noise and nations threatens embargo on Nation A and talk of a military force to eject Nation A is mooted.... finally after weeks then months.... everyone decides... actually Nation A ruling over Nation B is not such a bad idea.... besides Nation A has promised lucrative deals for Nations willing to support it's "liberation".... so end of the day..... Nation B becomes part of Nation A....
Far Fetched? Impossible, Fantasy? Well not impossible..... Look at Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor in 1975 just to name a few examples.
I would say depend not on others to defend us but to defend ourselves. Our SAF has it's purpose and let's not belittle that purpose. After all it has allowed you can to enjoy the peace, your wives and girlfriends are not in the danger of being raped by a marauding army, your brother is not shot for being an suspected insurgent and to allow you to be here talking behind a computer and saying how it is a waste of time to have an Army....