President Jacob Zuma will mark this year’s National Day of Reconciliation Day, 16 December 2010, by celebrating reconciliation among military veterans who fought on opposite sides during apartheid, and also through launching a department to take care of their needs.
As part of the reconfiguration of government last year, President Zuma established the Department of Military Veterans, falling under the Ministry of Defence.
The department is responsible for support to military veterans from all backgrounds; those who fought against apartheid and those who were part of the South African Defence Force and former Bantustan forces.
The establishment of the department was informed by the fact that many former combatants and veterans are struggling to make ends meet and to be integrated in society. The department will focus on the issues of the welfare and proper social and economic integration of veterans and thus ensure that they become an integral part of the transformation processes in the country.
The celebration of the National Day of Reconciliation through launching a department taking care of veterans recognises that although the former combatants of liberation movements and the apartheid-era forces fought against each other during the struggle against apartheid, they are now united in building a united, peaceful and prosperous South Africa.
Enquiries:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 330 1148
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
Source: The Presidency
