Hon Speaker, traditionally August is Women's Month, and it is indeed fitting that we are having the Second Reading debate on the Military Veterans Bill at this juncture in this Chamber. In a way, it is a timely reminder of the integral role that women played in the liberation of our country, especially those who donned uniforms and took up arms to fight for what they believed in. For their sacrifices and unselfishness we salute them and express the confidence that they will continue to be a shining light as we forge our way ahead to address the plight of our military veterans who have served us so courageously.
The Minister established a ministerial task team on military veterans with a mandate to develop policy recommendations; to recommend benefits and institutional structures; and to advise on the appropriateness, or otherwise, of the current legislation regarding military veterans in South Africa. This culminated in a Military Veterans Bill that will begin to address the plight of the military veterans in a holistic, fair and equitable manner.
To kick off this process, we had to get clarity on who qualified as a military veteran. Various opinions were raised regarding who should and who should not qualify as military veterans. Suffice to say, the definition of a military veteran, as accepted by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, is one that is indeed inclusive, as originally proposed by the task team, with a provision that applicants will be subjected to a means test.
One of the major issues that the Bill addresses are the benefits to be awarded to military veterans as outlined in clause 5. A means test will apply and each case will be treated on an individual basis to determine the exact needs of a specific military veteran as well as those who qualify as dependants of military veterans. These issues are important as there are physical and capacity boundaries that we have to be cognisant of. Clause 6 outlines the various powers and duties of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and these range from providing administrative services, collecting and keeping data and information to negotiating with the departments and NGOs to act as agents for the department.
The importance of outlining the powers and duties of the department lies in the fact that it will be more of a co-ordinating structure for the delivery of some of the benefits, as opposed to being the actual delivery agency for all of the benefits. It will therefore require skilful co-ordination and co- operation between these different agencies to ensure that the various benefits will be delivered in a timeous and efficient manner.
The Advisory Council on Military Veterans will be established to advise the Minister on any matter relating to the policies applicable to military veterans. This body will consequently play an essential role to ensure that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans caters for the needs of military veterans in an expeditious and effective fashion.
The appeal board will consider appeals lodged by a military veteran against decisions taken by an official which adversely affect the right of that military veteran. It will also be able to confirm, set aside or vary a decision in terms of the Act. The appeal board will therefore assist in the proper and effective functioning of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans as well as the other related departments and agencies.
In conclusion, the processing of the Military Veterans Bill by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans was marked by the acceptance by all political parties that the plight of our military veterans needed to be addressed in a structured and holistic manner. The various clauses were appropriately interrogated, with the result that the committee is satisfied that the eventual Act will adequately address the purpose of the Bill as proposed by the task team.
It is my belief that the Act will go a long way to attend to the needs of our military veterans in a manner befitting their sacrifices and the sacrifices that their dependants have made for this country. The ANC supports the Bill. [Applause.]