How would you repay men and women who protected your freedom; for some of them, at the cost of their lives?
This; in its simplest form, is the question that was asked in a statement delivered to the gates of The Parliament of South Africa, intended for the Minister of Defense, in Cape Town on Friday, 16 September 2016.
Men and women of SACCMVA (South African Cape Corps Military Veterans Association) started gathering at Keizersgracht street, at 08h00 to begin their peaceful march. The last few days had been mild and humid, but on this particular day, rain came down in torrents.
As if the heavens itself was weeping for the injustice suffered by our fighting countrymen and women.
Brave souls who had fought for years to protect the land they loved. Not all of them made it of course, but a good number of their brothers and sisters were present, to fight for a right that was due to them 2 decades prior.
To be recognised for their contribution in fighting a war to protect the land of their birth and to reap the monetary benefits that was owed, but could never ever make up for what was lost on the battlefield.
However; 20 some years on and they are now standing in the pouring rain, the drill sergeant barking out orders to retired soldiers who haven’t performed military manoeuvres in years. Still, they carried themselves with a distinguished air of pride and heartfelt fortitude. Being of the same racial group; “Coloured” (Mixed Race) as classified by the Apartheid government that ruled South Africa at the time, I felt a certain pride well up in me and maybe it was the rain, but my cheeks felt warm and moist.
Because of my dad being a community leader for as long as I can remember, and because of my own community contributions in recent years, I was asked to cover the event. An honour that is still driving me to discover greater truths; about myself, on a journey that would see the pride of a forgotten people, reawakened.
I documented the march in the pouring rain through the streets of Cape Town, the crowds looking on and cheering, cars honking as soldiers marched in military cadence, boots of seasoned veterans hitting the ground, as soldiers and their family members fell in behind them, voices raised in songs of unity and peace.
Right to the gates of The Parliament of South Africa to deliver the request to obtain the recognition they deserved and the monetary benefits that would give them the means to put food on the table for their loved ones.
However; we hear that the Minister of Defense is not there and that there is no one of equal rank, to accept this most reasonable request. Now; we wait... again. Our veterans are tired, wet, frustrated and starving.
How much longer will they be denied what is rightfully theirs?
I do not know dear reader, but they have my support and as a wise person once said; “The only thing for evil to prevail, is for good men (and women) to do nothing.”
We can no longer sit idly by; they fought for us and it is now our turn to fight for them… with them.
See #SACCMVA on Twitter for more details!
David-John Bailey | davbai24@hotmail.com | https://twitter.com/davbai83
(Originally published on WhitFieldPatel 19 September 2016)
