Chairperson, the paramount duty of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans is to defend the borders and the people of South Africa.
Our defence veterans, our warriors of old, must not be forgotten now that they are very old. They must be given a pension on which they can live and other benefits. In this regard, the IFP seeks clarity of the definition of who qualifies to be a veteran. Am I one, or are you one? That's exactly what I want to know.
Another concern is the ill-treatment of some of the members of the Defence Force who do not come from uMkhonto weSizwe, and the Azanian People's Liberation Army, Apla. We hear reports that these members are being treated differently from members who are originally from MK and Apla.
Yini umsindo ongaka, ibulala izindlebe zabantu lento lena. [Why is there so much noise? This thing is damaging people's ears.]
Could you control the noise, please? When it comes to promotions and benefits within the Defence Force, we ask that the Minister investigate this matter and report back.
The SA National Defence Force, SANDF, must continue with its recruitment drive. Advertisements must be prominently displayed in each of our provinces. Our youth are currently one of the largest segments of our unemployed people.