Deputy Speaker, we as a nation are deeply indebted to our military veterans, statutory or nonstatutory. We must recognise and honour them in life and remember with deep gratitude those who gave their lives for their nation.
It is also very important to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for military veterans from active military service to civilian life. To restore those who suffered disabilities we need to provide comprehensive benefits and services and ensure that veterans contribute to the prosperity and development in the country.
We need look no further than far north to see the destructive role that veterans can play if they are not properly looked after. Let us assist our veterans to contribute to the peace, prosperity, development, reconciliation and nation-building of our country and also assist them to beat swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.
While the ACDP shares concerns regarding the budgetary impact of this Bill and how the amount of R1,6 billion was arrived at, there can be no doubt that we must look after our military veterans who have served our nation with pride. The ACDP will therefore support this Bill.