By Sydney Masinga
Mahikeng - Some 166 military veterans in North West province will not have to worry about health care after they were given cards to access free health services at all the country's military bases.
The former soldiers received their veteran health and wellness cards at the 10 SAI BN Military Base in Mahikeng.
“All the veterans who received the health cards volunteered to serve without expecting anything in return. With this programme, we are proud to be associated with honouring and restoring the dignity and empowering our military veterans for nation building and a better life for all,” said Acting Director General for the North West provincial administration, Major General, Dr Mokhethi Radebe.
The issuing of the cards is part of the “Your health is our concern” campaign aimed at rolling out health services and socio-economic support to military veterans.
The veterans include those from former liberation movements Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), Azanian People Liberation Army (APLA), former South African Defence Force and Former Bophuthatswana Defence Force.
Radebe reiterated Premier Thandi Modise's call for youth to emulate military veterans by taking volunteerism as a way to make a meaningful contribution in their communities.
“Perhaps now more than ever before, the country needs the vital skills, experience and expertise that military veterans possess. In order to advance the critical goal of consolidating reconciliation, social cohesion and nation building, your health is very critical in enabling you to contribute effectively and efficiently,” Radebe said.
Former Umkhonto We Sizwe military veteran, Radilori Moumakwa, welcomed the roll out of the programme.
“It will assist many of those who felt neglected to access health benefits, housing and empowerment and skills development that they dearly needed,” said Moumakwa, who was also a member of the Luthuli Detachment.
Esau Phetoe, of the Bophuthatswana Defence Force Military Veteran Association, expressed appreciation for the Department of Military Veterans' inclusive approach.
According to the department's Chief Director for Health and Wellness, Xoli Morolo, R2 million has been set aside for the national roll out of the programme.
“This programme was launched by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula ,earlier this month for the benefit of 4 800 military veterans from across the country during this financial year,” said Morolo. – SAnews.gov.za
