28 August 2013
Ladies and gentlemen of the media
The purpose of the briefing is to inform the media, all the various stakeholders, the public and most importantly the military veterans community, about a very important milestone in the history of the military veterans in South Africa, and the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) in particular viz. the process towards the establishment of an umbrella body of military veterans formations and associations as stipulated in Section 7 of the Military Veterans Act 18, 2011.
Grave concern on violent protests in Ekurhuleni
Before we get into that process towards the establishment of the umbrella body for Military Veterans (MV’s), I would like first of all to state that the violent protest by some military veterans in Ekurhuleni on 26 August 2013, which led to injuries, arrest of about sixty people as well as the destruction of public property is a matter of grave concern. We strongly condiment any acts of violence such as these to be used as a means to raise grievances and concerns.
Military veterans, like all the citizens of the country, have a constitutional and democratic right to protest however they should do peacefully and within the confines of the law. Violent means are totally unacceptable. We understand and appreciate the frustrations raised about the fact that these protesting MV’s said they had been promised by Ekurhuleni Metro to be provided with basic services such as houses, jobs, etc. and that those promises have allegedly not been honoured.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will on Friday, 30 August 2013 at 10h00 lead a delegation to meet with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality leadership as well as the military veterans community to discuss the challenges and help work out lasting solutions to these seemingly teething challenges confronting military veterans.
We appeal to those involved in the protest to be calm and exercise patience and to the law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint. The DMV, working with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality as well as the veterans themselves and their formations will do its utmost best to help deal with the matters as speedily as possible.
As earlier stated, Section 7 of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011 enjoins the Director-General of the DMV to:
l (a) The Director-General must as soon as possible after the commencement of this Act establish a body which is to be an association representing military veterans' organisations nationally.
(b) The Minister must publish the date of establishment by notice in the gazette.
(2) The Director-General must in conjunction with military veterans' organisations create mechanisms to ensure that the association serves as an umbrella structure representing military veterans' organisations.
(3) The mechanisms contemplated in subsection (2) must at least result in the association-
(a) Representing military veterans' organisations in a fair manner;
(b) Conducting its business in a fair, transparent and accountable manner;
(c) Holding free, fair and regular elections; and
(d) At least once a year reporting to the Minister on its activities.
4 (a) A military veterans' organisation is not obliged to join the association.
(b) A military veterans' organisation contemplated in paragraph (a) may engage the Minister or other persons or structures established or referred to in this Act, provided such organisation is recognised by the Minister as a non-governmental organisation or association established in respect of military veterans that lawfully represents the interests of military veterans.
To give effect to these stipulations, the DMV is working with the military veterans formations such as MKMVA, APLAMVA, AZANLA, former TBVC states MVA’s, CMVO as well as SANMVA to prepare to hold a conference to establish such an umbrella body on 28th September to 1st October 2013 at Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.
Key to that process is to ensure that it is fair, inclusive, just, transparent and accountable. We envisage that this process will go a long way in enhancing unity within the military veterans community; help honour; restore dignity enhance skills development as well as empower military veterans to be self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to social cohesion and nation building.
To build awareness, educate and mobilise military veterans to partake actively in preparations for the conference. This process is already underway as you may have noticed adverts in print media.
Over this weekend I will be leading teams of senior DMV officials to addressing various consultative meetings of military veterans in various provinces about the conference. These are:
Bisho: Ciskei Defence Force MVA
Umthatha: Transkei Defence Force MVA
Mafikeng: Bophuthatswana Defence Force MVA
Vhembe: Venda Defence Force MVA
Gauteng: AZANLA and venue is yet to be confirmed
CMVO: On 7th September 2013 we will also be addressing the CMVO conference
Alongside we are also engaging a range of other military veterans who are showing interest to take part in the Conference. Provincial road shows will also be undertaken throughout the month of September to engage with military veterans. Modalities for inclusive participation are being finalised through consultations with the military veterans.
This will be about the deliberations during the conference wherein delegates will make inputs on constitutional matters, policy, programmes, leadership as well as structural matters pertinent to the umbrella body as the Act prescribes.
This will be the phase wherein the new umbrella body will be introduced and its programmes and activities will be popularised across the length and breadth of the country.
We call on all military veterans and their Associations to cooperate with the DMV in ensuring that we deliver a vibrant umbrella body for military veterans that will help accelerate the delivery of benefits as outlined in Sec 5 of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011.
We also call upon all stakeholders such as business, labour, civil society professionals and indeed communities at large to work with us in ensuring that we build a better life for all military veterans.
We dare not forget that our country is free and is about celebrate twenty years of democracy due to the supreme sacrifices made by military veterans
On behalf of the DMV let me take the opportunity to join the nation and the world in celebrating the women of South Africa in general and women military veterans in particular for all the sacrifices they have made and noble services they have rendered to the country.
Malibongwe!!!
Enquiries:
Mr Mbulelo Musi
Chief Director Communications
Cell: 082 338 3890
Tel: 012 671 2623
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