As the country prepares to celebrate 20 years of freedom and democracy ushered on 27th April 1994 and as the Heritage Month September, to which Military veterans are integral came to a close; a quantitatively and qualitatively new chapter in the history of military veterans in the country was ushered on 29th September to 2nd October 2013 at a historic Conference held at Birchwood Conference Centre, Ekurhuleni.
Approximately 600 military veterans delegates representing the cross spectrum of former Non Statutory and Statutory Forces’ Associations, converged to define a new future for military veterans. They gathered to establish the new umbrella Association that was to represent military veterans in line with the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011.
The Act inter alia stipulates: “The Director General (of the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) must as soon as the possible after the commencement of the Act established a body which is to be an association representing military veterans’ organisations nationally.”
Accordingly, those present at the establishment Conference included the following:
The leadership of the dissolved South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA), Ukhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans association (MKMVA); the Azanian People Liberation Army Military Veterans Association (APLAMVA), the Azanian National Liberation Army Military Veterans Association, (AZALMVA); the Council for Military Veterans Organisation (CMVO); the former Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei (TBVC) Defence Forces Military Veteran Associations as well as the South African Cape Coloured Corps.
In an attempt to advance and ensure inclusivity, the DMV also had several engagements with other breakaway military formations which are yet to be officially recognised by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans such as the South African Defence Force Military Veterans, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Ex-Liberation War Military Veterans Union as well as the Azanian People Military Veterans Association which decided not to take part in the Conference.
Why is the establishment of the new umbrella Association significant for military veterans? What difference will it make from the previous SANMVA particularly given the fact that the Conference unanimously agreed to retain the name SANMVA as well as its logo?
Reflecting on the significance of this milestone the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula in her opening address to the conference stated:
“The Conference takes place against the backdrop of the country celebrating 20 years of hard –won freedom. The 20years of freedom reminds us as a nation that it would not have come about had it not been for the bravery, courage and sacrifices made in the liberation struggle by amongst others men and women at conference. It stands to reason therefore that, our freedom and democracy will remain meaningless if it does not give effect to addressing the political, social, and economic needs of the military veterans in a decisive, meaningful and sustained manner.”
The Minister further reminded the delegates that the Constitution of the country enjoins that “We the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices, of the past; honour those who sacrificed for justice and freedom an in our land; respect those who have worked to build and develop our country”
She further implored delegates to “make sure that the new association becomes a vibrant, democratic, legitimate and representative voice and accountable an parliament of all military veterans that enjoys their unwavering trust and confidence, at all times.”
All these factors give new meaning to the new SANMVA in both policy and programmatic terms. They therefore place a new and perhaps bigger responsibility on the part of the new SANMVA and its leadership. Will this new umbrella Association and its leadership live up these new complex challenges and responsibilities?
It will be deeds than words that are testimony and give answer to these critical questions. Suffice to say that, the Conference Declaration and Resolutions lay a firm foundation that points in the right direction if fully implemented. This includes commitment to:
The nobility of these intentions remains indisputable. Yet the most important factor is the translation of these bold and noble commitments into practical change for the better of the lives of all military veterans. That will of course require that military veterans remain vigilant and constantly live by the dictum “there is nothing about us without us”. The leadership ought therefore to be held accountable at all times.
That will also call for close monitoring and evaluation of the roll out of the programmes including the expenditure of R300 million that the government has allocated to roll our benefits to military veterans during the financial year 2013/14.
In his clarion call for urgent action on the part of the newly elected leadership of SANMA the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans had this to say when closing the Conference “As you take your positions today, you know that time is of essence. When at times the incline gets too steep to bear remember that the baton you took is still that of trailblazers. Be aware that your mission as leadership is indeed enormous. The course of military veterans must triumph.”
That triumph will of necessity also require that the DMV and the new SANMVA work closely together with first and foremost all military veterans across the political and ideological divide that defined their past; work in partnership will all sectors of society including business, labour, civil society and communities at large. It is the future generations be the final judge as to whether this new era ushered was indeed a defining moment in the annals of the country’s history.
Mbulelo Musi: Head of Communication
Department of Military Veterans
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