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In many Third World developing countries the military structure is a more organised, progressive, technically advanced institution than the civilian administrative bureaucracy. Here the soldier is weaned from his overriding sense of tribal identity is trained in a national citizenship gains the necessary self-confidence to be of use in facing the tensions and problems inherent in the struggle for greater development. and receives some measure of technical training. In many recently independent African countries the ineffectiveness of civilian bureaucracies has precipitated military involvement in national government. The writer of this article comments on this kind of military role and on the effectiveness of military involvement in fostering economic and political development. By means of comparison he touches on the role of the South African Defence Force in the development of the Caprivi and Kavango areas of South West Africa.