On Saturday 27 October 2012, President of the Republic of South Africa and the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), President Jacob Zuma, will bestow medals to military veterans who distinguished themselves in various capacities during the grimmest days in South Africa prior 1994 in the quest to see the dawn of democracy in South Africa.
The event will be conducted in a form of a medal parade which is scheduled to take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof, Pretoria at 10h00.
The parade aims to honour members of Umkhonto we Sizwe whose 50th anniversary is being celebrated this year (2012). The aforementioned date, 27 October 2012, has been timed to coincide with the birthday anniversary of the longest serving President of the ruling party who also served as the longest commander of MK (OR Tambo,30 years) of MK and played a major role in bringing democracy to this country.
Significant strides have been made by the Department of Military Veterans, which is championed by Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla, to reshape and address the plight of military veterans. The Constitution of Republic of South Africa and new 2011 Military Veterans Act enjoin the Department of Military Veterans to execute, as part of its legislative mandate, to restore the dignity and memorialise the sacrifices of those who sacrificed their lives for the benefit of democracy and freedom in South Africa.
More than five hundred (500) former members of MK Luthuli detachment (first generation of members who joined around 1961 and 1962 when MK was established) will receive medals in the category of platinum, gold and bronze for bravery, merit, campaigns and commemorative.
The medals will be conferred by President Jacob Zuma. The Department of Military Veterans will also conduct other military parades for successive detachments of MK, Azanian People's Liberation Army Military Veterans Association (APLAMVA) and Azanian National Liberation Army Military Veterans' Association (AZANLAMVA).
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her Deputy, Mr Thabang Makwetla and top echelons of the SANDF are expected to attend the parade.
Accreditation: Members of the media wishing to cover the event are requested to submit their names, contacts and ID numbers for accreditation to Client Liaison Officer at National Intelligence Agency, Ms K.M Tema on hologelot@ssa.gov.za/ 082 4452 632 and Lieutenant Romeo Mabote on 072 187 0803 / sandfmedialiaison@gmail.com.
Names should be forwarded by not later than 25 October 2012 at 15h30.
Enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana
Cell: 082 496 6875
E-mail: ntime.skhosana@dod.mil.za
Mbulelo Musi
Cell: 071 606 9515 or 082 338 3890
E-mail: musimbulelo@gmail.com
The Department of Military Veterans celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Umkhonto We Sizwe
