The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Mr Thabang Makwetla, will on Saturday, 28 May 2011, address the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) chapter of the South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA) at its inaugural conference.
The KwaZulu-Natal chapter will join other provinces which have launched SANMVA thus far. SANMVA is an umbrella body of former liberation armies such as Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans (MKVA) and Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA).
In his address Deputy Minister Makwetla is expected to update SANMVA members on the 2011 Military Veterans Bill which is being discussed in Parliament.
The Deputy Minister recently announced that Cabinet has approved R1.6 billion over the next three years in order the address the plight of military veterans. This amount will cover among other things military pension, free health care, access to public transport, housing and burial support. The Department of Military Veterans is expected to roll out these benefits after parliament has approved and enacted the 2011 Military Veterans Bill.
The launch will also be honoured by guest speakers such as KZN Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize and SANMVA President, Mr Kebby Maphatsoe.
The details are as follows:
Date: 28 May 2011 (Saturday)
Venue: Estuary Hotel, Port Edward, KZN
Time: 08h30
Enquiries:
Ntime Skhosana (Spokesperson for the Deputy Minister)
Cell: 082 496 6875
Deputy Minister Makwetla addresses KwaZulu-Natal military veterans
