Christmas for Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association MKMVA Veterans
In Richards Bay, KwaZulu Natal on 23 December 2016, the Patron of the Jacob G Zuma Foundation, President Jacob Zuma, addressed the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) and acknowledged that more needs to be done to address the plight of thousands of former Umkhonto Wesizwe members.
The Patron hosted the Christmas Party and pleaded with the District Municipality as well as KZN Province to partner so that the Christmas for MKMVA could become an annual event. He says the role played by the MK in liberating the country will never be forgotten.
Meanwhile Kwa Zulu Natal MKMVA Chairperson, General Themba Mavundla, and the former MK combatants told the President about their plight and how most of them are unemployed and live from hand to mouth despite their immense contribution to the liberation struggle. "I believe the situation of our former MK combatants should not be like this. We thank the JG Zuma Foundation. It not the first time the JGZF is giving us Christmas gifts. We still need help like this. I’m telling if you had not given us these Christmas gifts many of MKMVA members would have had a black Christmas”. General Mavundla also requested the President to expedite the repatriation of remains of those who died on foreign land.
The MK members who received Christmas hampers were from the following regions:
- Thamsanqa Fihlela Region
- Jerome Langa Region
- Moses Mabhida Region
- Sihle Mbonga Region
- James Ngoloyi Region