R 4 million for education of military veterans and their dependants

10 November 2013

The Deputy Minister (DM) for Defence and Military Veterans Mr. Thabang Makwetla has said that R4million has been set aside for bursaries for 200 Military Veterans (MVs) and their dependants' education for this financial year 2013/2014.

The DM made this announcement over the weekend when he addressed about 300 MVs who had gathered at 4 South African Infantry (4SAI) Batallion in Nelspruit to receive military healthcare cards.

This campaign rolled out under the banner of “Your health and Wellness is our Concern" signifies that the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) and indeed government as a whole considers the building of healthy lives for all communities including military veterans as very important. Health is the most important aspect in the life of any individual, family and community" said the DM.

Over 300 MV's were issued with healthcare cards in Mpumalanga (Nelspruit and Middleburg) on the 6th and 8th November 2013 respectively. Out of the targeted 4800 targeted military veterans expected to receive these cards by the end of the campaign in the Eastern Cape on the 5th December 2013, over 1700 cards have already been issued which has exceeded the target thus far. Over 1600 have received free screenings and check-ups for various illnesses such as HIV, cholesterol, diabetes, eye, audio and TB.

The DM also announced that 505 houses will be provided to military veterans this year.

The campaign is going very well thus far and thanks to the cooperation of military veterans and their Associations and SANMVA, the South African Medical Health Services the Military Veterans Health Practitioners Association" , as well as the provincial and local governments. We hope this partnership will continue and grow stronger" says the Chief Director responsible for Health and Wellness at the DMV, Ms Xolisa Morolo.

The next roadshow is to take place on the 12th and 13th November 2013 in Bloemfontein Sick Bay (Tempe) in the Free State where over 250 cards are expected to be distributed to military veterans.

That will then be followed by visits to the Western Cape, Gauteng, Northern Cape and then the Eastern Cape will be the last.