The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) is finalising the Integrated Database Management System (IDMS) while requesting upon military veterans to come forward for verifications.

Spokesperson Lebogang Mothapa said the system was set to ensure that a credible, secure and reliable electronic system for the service and benefit of military veterans was created, in the national army veterans database.

Mothapa said the DMV was committed to capacity development and had made progress in its quest to provide a dignified, unified, empowered, and self-sufficient military veterans community.

“The support enables them to contribute to nation-building and reconciliation through partnerships with key stakeholders of the department to improve and sustain the livelihoods of the military veteran’s community.

“As part of its mandate, the DMV has been providing education support to military veterans and their dependents since the financial year of 2013/14.

“For the financial year 2021/2022, 1 978 learners studying in primary education have been offered bursaries, and 644 have been approved for tertiary education.”

She said, however, there had been challenges with the administration of the bursary benefits due to several reasons, such as schools non-compliance due to tax-related matters and the submission of outstanding invoices from schools and tertiary institutions.

“School and tuition fees for 2022 are currently being administered. The department has supported more than 400 graduates since its inception. They include qualified medical doctors, engineers, and lawyers, among various esteemed professions.”

Mothapa said the department was offering skills training of military veterans as it was a continuous key component of the department’s support.

“In partnership with the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa), 149 military veterans are trained as Peace Officers at the Koeberg training centre in Cape Town.

“Furthermore, in collaboration with the State Information Technology Agency (Sita), the department offers training to military veterans and their dependents for a digital literacy skills programme.”

He said the skills were for purposes of employment and entrepreneurship.

“The training programme will be done in phases, for a period of three years. More than 80 military veterans and their dependents in Gauteng started with their digital literacy training at the Vaal University of Technology on Monday.”

She said the department would continue to meet the commitment to provide education support and improve and sustain the socio-economic status of the military veterans and their dependents.

Military Veterans can contact the department by sending an email to database@dmv.gov.za or the call centre on 080 232 3244 to get assistance with verification.

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