Three decades after making "immense sacrifices for South Africa's liberation", thousands of struggle veterans find themselves locked in a poignant new battle: securing a dignified retirement.
Beyond the emotional weight of long-overdue government recognition, the issue represents a significant financial commitment.
For some the wait has lasted almost as long as the democracy they helped create, Parliament heard this week. They entered the struggle in their youth, spending years in exile, underground, in prison or away from ordinary employment. Now, decades later, some are approaching the end of their lives still waiting for the state to recognise the impact those years had on their ability to build a conventional retirement.
Proposed amendments to the Special Pensions scheme are projected to cost nearly R100 million in back payments alone, alongside millions more in future annual benefits.
Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance is currently scrutinising the Special Pensions Amendment Bill which if passed into law could clear the path for thousands of veterans and their families to receive benefits.
The scheme was originally established for those whose deep involvement in the liberation struggle left them unable to build a traditional career or adequately provide for their golden years.
Under the new amendments, approximately 10,145 beneficiaries could qualify, including families previously excluded by strict prescription periods, disqualified applicants, and those who filed late.
Committee chair Dr Mkhacani (Joe) Maswanganyi stressed that Parliament's review of the bill would be thorough.
“This is not a box-ticking exercise,” he noted, emphasising the need for Parliament to transparently justify its decisions on policy and financial implications.
“Many people lost their lives for us to be where we are today. Many sacrificed enormously. Some died in exile. Some families do not even know where the graves of their loved ones are.”
Submissions from key stakeholders, including COSATU, the Association of Ex-Political Prisoners, and the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association, and many of them highlighted that the existing Special Pensions framework is too rigid.
Among the issues was the age restriction, the minimum five-year qualifying period, and the treatment of student activists. There is also widespread concern that the amounts provided through the pension, survivor, and funeral benefits are simply not enough.
National Treasury, in its response to the submissions, have brought another dimension to the debate. “The proposed lifting of the age restriction in the Act would result in this model no longer being a pension, but a benefit that is akin to a reparation fund,” the department stated.
Treasury maintained that while Parliament holds the power to broaden the policy, any expansion would require a comprehensive review and rigorous costing. The department argued that the Special Pension should not become a catch-all vehicle for benefits already provided through other government channels.
The financial stakes are already clearly defined in the current draft of the Bill. Actuarial estimates project R98.1 million in back payments, with future costs for children's pensions sitting at R847,606. Additional annual benefits are estimated at R14.2 million, bringing the three-year cost to roughly R42.6 million.
Labour federation COSATU is urging Parliament to move swiftly. COSATU parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks argued the Bill is essential for those denied the opportunity to contribute to a standard provident fund due to years spent underground, in prison, or in exile.
“Given that most of the Special Pension recipients are elderly, it is critical that Parliament expedite its passage into law,” Parks said. “Time is of the essence. We urge Parliament to ensure its adoption before rising in December 2026 to enable President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign it into law by April 2027.”
Yet, the Special Pensions debate is playing out against the backdrop of systemic dysfunction within the state's broader veteran support apparatus.
The Department of Military Veterans commands a budget allocation of R912 million for 2026/27, with R566 million earmarked for socio-economic benefits.
However, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga acknowledged deep institutional challenges during her May budget vote.
These hurdles include inadequate IT infrastructure, limited research on veteran needs, and a severe misalignment between the department's structure and its service delivery mandate.
Further complicating matters is the state's veteran database.
The department’s 2024/25 annual report noted only 1,678 confirmed military veterans registered during that financial year. Relying heavily on outdated, paper-based systems, the department is now undertaking an independent verification of the database, targeted for completion by December 31, 2026.
While the database audit is administratively separate from the Special Pensions Amendment Bill, it exposes a critical vulnerability in the government's machinery: the state continues to struggle with the basic task of identifying its veterans and determining exactly who is entitled to the financial dignity they fought to secure.
wendy.jdc@nationalmg.co.za