PARROT TALK
Both factions of former Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) military veterans have welcomed the decision by the ANC national executive to work towards achieving unity and establishing a single structure for all veterans.
Both sides were optimistic about the unity process.
Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veteran’s Association (MKMVA) and rival Umkhonto we Sizwe National Council have been instructed by the ANC to form a task team that would work towards the two structures forming a single military veterans body.
After next year’s elections, a conference would be held to elect an all-inclusive executive national committee who would lead the integrated association.
MKMVA’s national executive committee member and spokesperson Carl Niehaus said the envisaged unity process between the MKMVA and MK National Council would present an opportunity to have the plight of former combatants addressed. He stressed that the MKMVA would not be disbanded but would continue to represent the combatants and fight for their needs.
“We are not going to be disbanded as MKMVA, it’s a question of going through a process towards unity. We have to continue to service all ex-MK combatants,” he said.
The MKMVA members openly sided with former president Jacob Zuma when he was in power. At the time, the association was unwilling to engage in unity talks.
The National Council, which is led by former MK chief of staff