MKMVA rallies behind its peaceful call to the ANC to reconsider disbandment

25 July 2021

An extended National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) met virtually on Wednesday the 21st of July 2021.

An extended MKMVA National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is a broad, and most representative meeting that can be held by MKMVA, which include the Chairpersons and Secretaries of all our provincial and regional structures.

The main topic of consideration for the Extended National Executive Committee was a report from our National Office Bearers (NOB’s) about a meeting with the ANC National Office Bearers (NOB’s) on Monday the 19th of July 2021, to establish certain facts that surround ‘disbandment’ for lack of better word.

We really viewed the matter in a serious light it deserves as this relate to consequences, necessitated the holding of our extended MKMVA NEC meeting. The extended NEC meeting thoroughly considered this position of the ANC NEC, and after extensive deliberations came to the decision that the disbandment of MKMVA is humbly dismissed as inadequate.

The MKMVA NEC reiterated that it is committed to work towards the implementation of the Resolution of the 54th National Conference of the ANC, with regards to the forging of unity in the ranks of MK veterans. The ANC NEC, NWC and National Office Bearers know that MKMVA diligently worked - as instructed the ANC National Office Bearers - under the auspices the Peace and Stability Sub-committee of the ANC NEC, to achieve that goal.

Great strides had been made, and the preparations for holding the unity conference were at an advanced stage. The only matter outstanding was for the subcommittee for database/verification to present the report to the Peace and Stability Sub-committee and that’s when the MK National Council withdrew from the process.

The extended MKMVA NEC is convinced that the "disbandment" of MKMVA before the holding of an MK unity conference is procedurally incorrect, and not helpful.

We believe strongly that the correct procedure would be to ‘dissolve’ the current NEC of MKMVA at the commencement of the unity conference, and not beforehand. The NEC of MKMVA is certainly not closing the door on further engagement with our ANC. We continue to be open to engagement with the ANC NEC, NWC and National Office Bearers on how to achieve the holding of a successful unity conference, and how in an overall sense to achieve the goal of forging unity within the ranks of all MK combatants.

The extended MKMVA NEC reiterated its outrage and deep concern about the recent and rather continuing spontaneous unrest in some parts of the country as a result of an unfortunate incarceration of President Jacob Zuma.

While there can be no way of absolutely ruling out enemy interference, all narratives point to the presence of genuine challenges that could have been handled better. The absence of robust, honest and genuine engagement within the ANC ranks broadly also ensured a weak response to the challenges.

The extended MKMVA NEC, was also resolute on the support and sympathy to President, Jacob Zuma, his family to stay strong under this difÞcult circumstances. In doing so MKMVA derives our mandate from the Resolution that was passed by the 5th National Conference of MKMVA, in defense and support of President Zuma.

Like many of our leaders within the movement who are close to our hearts, he had to overcome the hardships of separation, uncertainty, degradation etc. He did so with grave and resolve, without complaint or self-pity.

On the same breath, we condemn in strongest terms the reckless utterances that were prematurely made by some leaders regarding the recent unrest portrayed as instigated by ex-Mk soldiers.

MKMVA NEC also took note of the unfortunate incident that saw its Spokesperson comrade Carl Niehaus being alleged to be on the wrong side of the norms and standards whilst carrying the responsibility entrusted upon him on that fateful day, when he was deployed to Nkandla by MKMVA.

Those false utterances has far reaching implications on the attitudes/perceptions of communities towards MK combatants which will impact negatively to the degree of general reconciliation.

We joined Umkhonto we Sizwe to protect and liberate our nation, and we continue to defend and build our democracy.

Our earnest and humble opinion is that the converging of us with the ANC leadership will triumph because at this historical juncture, we are resolute to deliver an emphatic victory to our envisaged UNITY & NATION BUILDING.

This gave us as MKMVA NEC a very good reason to step forward in requesting our ANC to grant us audience once more. And it's only around the table unlike through press release/ conference that engaging will enhance the achievement of a balanced political solution and capable of accelerating the restoration of the dignity of the impoverished soldiers.

Experience and reality has taught us that as a collective we can make great progress, and that the vigor of reconciling different positions of interest can be accommodated without compromising the dignity and the envisaged social coherence within the context of UNITY.

In conclusion the extended MKMVA NEC furthermore re-affirmed our resolute will, to work for the unity and welfare of all MK veterans. We furthermore remain convinced of the critically important role that MK veterans can, and must, play within the ranks of the ANC, and for the achievement of full liberation - especially with regards to the radical economic restructuring and the empowerment of all black (especially African) South Africans. The decisions that we take, and defend, are always informed by these objectives.

We can only overcome this mammoth challenge by building unity amongst ourselves as a guarantee to save the future of the next generation.

A natural factor over which we had no control over, have obliged us to shift to a new normal called Covid-19. MKMVA hope that South Africa and the world at large survive this global turmoil through determination and self-discipline.

Issued by the National Working Committee of MKMVA, 25 July 2021