CMVO Council for Military Veterans Organizations Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Defence 10 & 11 May 2007

1. CMVO Council for Military Veterans Organizations Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Defence 10 & 11 May 2007

2. Scope • The CMVO • Military Veterans Affairs Act • Transformation of CMVO • Crux: 800 000 Military Veterans • Identification of Vulnerable Military Veterans • Developmental Programs • Medical Support & Improved Pensions • Infrastructure, Finance & Administration • Summary • Conclusion

3. CMVO • CMVO is a member of the World Veterans’ Federation (WVF) • Recognized by Minister of Defence (Military Veterans Affairs Act 1999) • Four Officer Bearers currently serve on Advisory Board • Membership 10 000 and gives assistance to 8 000 • 21 Member Organizations - South African Legion of Military Veterans - Memorable Order of the Tin Hats (MOTHS) - Gunners’ Association - Sappers Foundation - SA Air Force Association - Naval Offices’ Association of Southern Africa - SA Cape Corps Regimental Association - St Dunstan’s Association for the War Blinded Veterans - SA Jewish Ex-Serviceman’s League - SA Infantry Association

4. CMVO continued - SA Medical Health Services (SAMHS) Veterans’ Association - Curamus Association - SA Scottish Regiments’ Association - Naval Officers’ Association - SA Armour Association - Polish Combatants’ Association in SA - Special Forces League - Signals’ Association (Western Cape) - SA Veterans’ Continuation Committee - Savannah Veterans’ Association - SA Korean War Veterans’ Association • The CMVO has recently adopted a fresh stance and sees its mission as that of Recognition, Remembrance and Reconciliation in respect of veterans affairs across every strata of SA society

5. Military Veterans Affairs Act • CMVO is of opinion that the future of Military Veterans should be based on the prescriptions as found is the current Act & Regulations • Minister desires one unitary veterans’ organisation representing all military veterans - To include exiting SANDF members - All military veterans are members on an individual basis • Defence Update 2006 requires a dedicated agency for the management of all military veterans • Consideration should therefore be given to amend legislation as follows: - Establish a single statutory organisation - Establish a dedicated resourced agency with infrastructure to manage all military veterans’ affairs

6. Transformation of CMVO • In the light of above developments the CMVO Executive, representing its member organisations has agreed to - Transform CMVO into the new South African Military Veterans Federation (SANMVF) - To associate, support & align itself with new proposed military veterans dispensation (SANMVA) - For the benefit of its own members and ALL the other military veterans in South Africa • The CMVO has at request of Director Legal Advice of DOD - Prepared & submitted proposed amendments to the Act to establish a single military veterans’ organisation - Drafted & submitted a constitution for SANMVA

7. Crux of Matter: 800 000 Veterans • Existing DOD military veterans database of 800 000 is being populated & contains the following: - Statutory Forces 770 000 WWII veterans & ex-SADF members Coloured ex Servicemen (20 000) National Servicemen (650 000) Former TBVC Forces - Non Statutory Force members on Certified Personnel Registers Demobilised members or who did not integrate 22 931 AZANLA have been given de facto recognition 3 000 - Army Territorial Members (Commandos) 55 000

8. Vulnerable Military Veterans • Government should identify vulnerable military veterans for state support - The initial focus should be on most vulnerable categories from across the board i.e. from ALL military veterans - The focus to date has been on former MK & APLA members - These members have been difficult to trace & identify • All military veterans may become vulnerable and can include - Coloured ex-servicemen - Former commandos (ATR’s)

9. Developmental Programs • Regulations under the Act contains a list of desired programs viz., - Reparation, Health Care, Occupational & Military Heritage • Current developmental programs - SASSETA (R56M for 4350 military vets over 3 years) - DOD Service Corps (R14M) - populate the database & train 132 members & another 800 NSF members have benefited • CMVO recommends that these programs should also include members of Statutory Force

10. Developmental Programs continued • Housing for Military Veterans - Dept of Housing was collaborating with DOD to establish program of assistance - Results of housing survey yet to be known - Availability of defunct SANDF bases could be identified for upgrading • Establish Military Veteran Villages using the very successful MOTH, SA Legion & Gunners’ models

11. Medical & Pensions • Recommend Medical Support for Veterans - Re-introduction of SAMHS facilities for military veterans should be pursued as well as the utilisation of provincial health facilities - The CMVO has formally endorsed the GETMED scheme in principle • Improved Pension Benefits for Military Veterans and Dependents - Need to speed up the process of identifying eligible beneficiaries for submission to the National Social Security Agency - Disabled military veterans & dependents should become eligible for grants • The CMVO has skilled & experienced specialists in field of administering military veterans pensions and is willing to make this expertise available

12. Infrastructure, Finance & Administration • Per the Act, funding of military veterans Aid and Administration are a government responsibility - The administration & payment of veterans grants should be effected by National Social Security Agency once grants are in place • National & Provincial Structures - There are currently NO governmental, national or provincial structures in place - Structures should be provided by DOD and ultimately by the Dedicated Agency and/or the SANMVA once established • Important to note that structures already exist in a limited way in some of the National Military Veterans Organisations under the CMVO - Cater for the needs of own members - Funded by themselves, membership fees, donations, fund raising activities on voluntary basis

13. Summary • The CMVO supports the Ministers endeavour to establish a Veterans Association (SANMVA) by: - Willing to serve on any management bodies as required - Assisting with the establishment of a database - Encouraging individuals to join through its member organisations - Make it’s manpower, skills and infrastructure available to ensure the success of the SANMVA

14. Conclusion • The CMVO wishes to express its appreciation for the opportunity to participate in these deliberations • Furthermore, the CMVO unequivocally supports ALL endeavours, initiatives and programs which will benefit ALL veterans represented by ALL the veterans organisations in South Africa • As such the CMVO and the veteran associations it represents would willingly and enthusiastically participate in any further deliberations at the highest level • The CMVO therefore wishes every success to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence in the formulation of its recommendations to the Minister of Defence