All military veterans may soon be on the receiving end of help from eThekwini Municipality if a policy for Veterans’ Support Framework is approved by a full council sitting. The policy was submitted to the Executive Committee on Tuesday, 18 August, 2015.
The policy will ensure all military veterans, not just MK veterans, receive assistance from eThekwini Municipality in the form of housing, facilitation of job placement, skills development and training, access to municipal health services, facilitation of or advice on business opportunities and any other support needed. This is in recognition that freedom and democracy was due to sacrifices of many men and women who served in the liberation armies.
City Manager Sibusiso Sithole said the Municipality would work with other government departments to provide the service. “We intend setting up an office in eThekwini to ensure veterans can access this service,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala recommended that a stakeholder meeting be convened to ensure views of all stakeholders are considered in this matter.