1. CMVO Council for Military Veterans Organizations
Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Defence
10 & 11 May 2007
11/24/2018

2. Scope The CMVO Military Veterans Affairs Act Transformation of CMVO
Crux: Military Veterans
Identification of Vulnerable Military Veterans
Developmental Programs
Medical Support & Improved Pensions
Infrastructure, Finance & Administration
Summary
Conclusion
11/24/2018

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 and gives assistance to
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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

7. Crux of Matter: 800 000 Veterans
Existing DOD military veterans database of is being populated & contains the following:
- Statutory Forces
WWII veterans & ex-SADF members
Coloured ex Servicemen (20 000)
National Servicemen ( )
Former TBVC Forces
- Non Statutory Force members on Certified Personnel
Registers
Demobilised members or who did not integrate
AZANLA have been given de facto recognition 3 000
- Army Territorial Members (Commandos)
11/24/2018

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)
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018

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
11/24/2018