Programme Director,

Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula

Ministers and Deputy Ministers,

Members of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans,

Esteemed Recipients of Medals,

Chief of the South African National Defence Force, 

Members of the diplomatic corps,

Senior officials, 

Compatriots and friends,

 

On the 2nd August this year, on the occasion coinciding with the commemoration of the first operations of the Luthuli Detachment of the ANC’s military wing uMkhonto weSizwe, we held the first ever military parade to honour the veterans who fought for our freedom as part of the non- statutory forces.

 

Today signifies an important milestone in that programme, as we confer medals to bestow honour to the last group of this detachment which is recognised as the trailblazers for the armed operations of MK.

 

From the onset, we have recognised that these parades bear an important historic symbolism. 

This is because for the very first time, we have created an opportunity through which the SANDF, itself a product of the struggle led by these heroes, can officially honour and recognise the contribution of the many freedom fighters who fought for democracy in our country.

 

It is a significant achievement in that today we can restore the dignity and acknowledge as patriots, those who were once vilified as terrorists.  

 

We are given an opportunity to recognise their struggle and efforts as representing a legitimate cause of building a South Africa which is free, democratic, united and prosperous. 

Today we erase forever any tag that could have attempted to brand them as outlaws, and we duly memorialise them as heroes and heroines who loved their country and all of its people. 

 

More importantly, we are implementing the country’s Constitution and legislation which enjoin us “to honour those who suffered the injustices of the past". 

 

Through these various classes of medals that we confer to our veterans, the government makes a simple, yet profound statement that the nation thanks you for your bravery, your courage and supreme sacrifices made in the quest of liberating our people to be amongst the community of free nations. 

 

We say this mindful of the fact that the dawn of democracy in our land has brought about real and significant progress in giving a better life to all our people.  

For this, we are eternally indebted to the recipients here and their many comrades who dedicated their lives to the cause of freedom, including those who perished in the course. 

 

Your rich experiences and contributions should serve as an example to current and future generations as we continue to deepen the gains we have made in building a better country.

 

By the same token, we are also declaring through these medals that never again shall we allow our country to be at war with itself.

These medals are just a beginning. As the Chinese saying goes, the journey of thousand miles begins with the first step.

 

Due to the numbers of members of the Luthuli Detachment that we had to deal with during the 50th anniversary of MK, we have taken a bit longer than we had expected to cover all our veterans. 

 

We still remain committed to complete the honouring of all outstanding detachment of MK as well as APLA next year.

 

The Department of Military Veterans is also in discussion to resolve all the outstanding issues relating to the inclusion of combatants from AZANLA, of the Black Consciousness Movement.

These medals should serve as a token that represent our collective commitment to peace and progress.

 

On the ruins of our divided past must spring a spirit of strong resolve and commitment to build a strong future based on unity and cohesion.   

 

However, while our history of war and destruction is something we want to condemn and relegate to the past, we also want to ensure that you, who have sacrificed so much, are never forgotten. 

 

By these medals we commit to do more to make sure that you take your rightful place in our society and history. 

This will mean that government should create, with speed, the necessary environment that will enable our veterans to play a meaningful role in the social, economic and political life of our society.

 

Esteemed medal recipients, 

 

We have also agreed that as part of the memorialisation process for our military veterans, government should amongst other activities, build a heroes acre, the statue of an Unknown Soldier, and museums, documenting our rich history.  

 

I want to particularly urge our veterans to be part of this process and to tell and record their stories through books, films, poetry and all other possible forms of artistic and cultural expressions.

 

Let me also take this opportunity to call on business, labour, civil society and perhaps more specifically the historians, cultural workers and the media to join us in documenting the rich and diverse individual and collective stories of our military veterans. 

 

This we owe to our children and future generations.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

 

As government we have already taken bold steps to create the necessary enabling legislative and policy environment to honour and empower the country’s military veterans.

 

In this regard, we have directed that the Defence Centre of Advanced Training in Phelindaba be put at the disposal of the Department of Military Veterans to be used for the re-skilling of those military veterans who still qualify.

 

Let me at this juncture emphasise that the military veterans are not a charity or welfare case. They are men and women of honour. 

We should therefore work with them in partnership. 

 

We should tap into their vast and rich experiences such that they, their dependants and indeed the rest of society emerge empowered to become self-reliant and self-sufficient in a sustainable manner. 

 

The Department of Military Veterans that we created in 2009 has now finalised the development of Regulations for the implementation of the Military Veterans Act, 18 of 2011.

This will make it possible for the provision of comprehensive benefits to military veterans. 

 

These include amongst others the following:

1. Compensating military veterans who sustained disabling injuries or severe psychological and neuro-psychiatric trauma or who suffer from terminal disease resulting from their military activities.

2. Dedicate counselling and treatment as well as education training and skills development support.

3. Honour and memorialise fallen military veterans.

4. Facilitation of employment placement.

5. Facilitation of advice on business opportunities.

6. Assist with pensions, access to health care as well as housing and burial support.

 

To give effect to these benefits, we have allocated R1,6 billion to the Department of Military Veterans within the current medium term expenditure framework.

 

Already, over 2 000 Military veterans are already benefitting from free health care services.

 

Furthermore, plans are afoot for about 700 work opportunities to be created for veterans by the Department of Water Affairs through Working for Water project.

Of course there is still much more to be done, including the expansion of the numbers of veterans benefitting from housing provision and the allocation of financial assistance to their dependants.  

 

The work of supporting our Military Veterans cannot be limited to the Department of Military Veterans, as it will essentially play a coordinating role.  

It is important that government in all three spheres; local, provincial and national, work together to tackle the various challenges facing the military veterans. 

 

Let us all work together to honour, restore dignity and empower the military veterans for nation building and a better life for all!

 

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who have made the three Luthuli Detachment medals parades the success they became. 

As we move towards conferring awards on other former MK, APLA and AZANLA veterans next year we look forward to your continued support.

 

Programme Director, 

 

Allow me to thank all distinguished dignitaries who have graced this auspicious occasion with their presence, making it as special as it has become.

Their presence has reminded our people of the role they played to create the kind of freedom and democracy they enjoy today.

 

We wish you and your families a joyous festive season and successful and fulfilling New Year ahead.

 

I thank you.