Castle Control Board Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans 10 June 2015 Castle Control Board Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans 10 June 2015

Outline Of Presentation The aim of the presentation is to briefly share the Castle Control Board’s responses to the following: the challenges associated with the co-ordination of military veterans’ services and benefits; current and planned military veterans programs and their purpose; the cost associated with the above programs as well as their implementation timeframes; and the challenges and risks that may impede success of the above programs and plans to remedy such challenges. 2

Challenges associated with the co- ordination of military veterans’ services and benefits The working relationship between CCB and Provincial Coordinator of DMV and the Deputy Minister's Office is excellent However, Military Veteran formations approach the CCB without necessarily liaising wit the DMV - problematic Although there is a DMV office on site, it is not conducive to professional, dignified service delivery Coordination between all parties needs to improve 3

Current and Planned Military Veterans Programs (1) After meeting Deputy Minister Maphatsoe in June 2014, the CCB committed to the plight of Military Veterans as expressed in practical terms below: Included specific programs aimed to benefit Military Veterans (MVs) in the 2015 APP and Strategic Plan The CCB also drafted an MOU with the DMVs outlining the areas of support – needs to be activated CCB has audit trail of its engagements with the DPW to accommodate MV- companies, cooperatives and individuals in the current Castle renovation project The Deputy Minister and his Department has “freedom of the Castle” when it comes to utilizing it as a base for service delivery 4

Current and Planned Military Veterans Programs (2) Hosted financial literacy workshops with 140 Military Veterans on 11,12,13 November Very positive feedback. Accommodate a Military Veterans Filming Company/Coop (Didiza Productions) at the Castle 11 February 600 military veterans convention with Deputy Minister Avail the CCB Boardroom to the Deputy Minister for consultations with Military Veterans Formations on 13 February 2015 Hosted a media briefing for the Deputy Minister on 19 February 2015 DMV has a well-utilized satellite office at the Castle 5

Current and Planned Military Veterans Programs (3) Appointment of MV security and cleaning cooperatives to do the external security of the Castle Legacy project to digitally record the life stories of aging MV’s Skills development projects for women within the DMV (space/venue dependent) Create income for members of DMV by having them supply and sell their self-produced merchandise in the Castle shop Have a DMV selected set of vendors generate income at the planned Castle markets On-going financial education and debt management workshop Have children of veterans as part of the Castle learnership programme 6

Cost Associated with Major Programmes 7 ProgrammeCostTime Frames Veterans security guards at the Castle R1.2 m2016 Digital recording of Military Veteran stories R340k2015 Skills development programme with Military Veteran Women R250k2016 Production and sale of crafts, clothing and memorabilia R500k2016 Financial literacy workshops R300k2015 Military Veteran dependents on CCB Internship Programme R60k2015

Challenges and Risks Communication – if Military Veterans have a clear understanding of what it is the CCB can deliver, half the battle is won Resources – the CCB is self-funding; the MOU with DMV makes transfers for specific Military Veterans’ projects possible The Castle premises need to be reflective of a truly non-racial military veteran community “However, we need to consider reflecting the South African military history in its totality instead of focusing on non-statutory forces because veterans include statutory forces as well.” (BI Mbatha, 4 May 2015) 8

CONTACT DETAILS: Calvyn Gilfellan Chief Executive Castle Control Board