My H1-2020 message
It is amazing that half of 2020 has already slipped by and we are in the latter half of a year that will be remembered for lockdowns and extremely adverse living and business conditions. No matter where you are, we trust that you and your families are COVID-19 free and making your way through this pandemic.
The four SAMVOINT Entities around the world continue to facilitate opportunities for our members to meet, network and attend Remembrance Services in our host countries. Most have had to be cancelled due to the prevailing situation; however, the organisation remains an extremely viable and effective one, with modifications to how we do things. One such adaptation is by “virtual communicating” and we have adapted well to this, with extremely interesting speakers and subjects being presented, via Zoom. These meetings are open to members only and, if interested, please advise me through the SAMVOINT Website at https://www.samvoint.org/ and I will facilitate your attendance.
We have had an unprecedented influx of new members this first half, with 169 Veterans joining our ranks. The split being:
56 SAMVOA; Zone 1 – Australasia
80 SAMVOZA; Zone 2A – South African and Rest of Africa
22 SAMVOEU; Zone 2B – Europe
11 SAMVOUSA; Zone 3 – North and South Americas
Our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Yongama Zigebe, who is our Welfare and Parliamentary Representative, working in the Western Cape area. He works out of our Johannesburg SAMVOINT Office and, in the execution of his duties in support of the Malmesbury Veteran Shelter, he and his driver were hijacked and badly beaten, with his driver being shot. Both were hospitalised and fortunately both are well and on the way to recovery. What amazing service these young South African men are rendering to Veterans!!
My message this half-year is about us emerging on the other side of this pandemic with our health and economic futures intact. May this be the case and the SAMVOINT Executive joins me in wishing each of you all the very best over this difficult period.
Tony.
Chairman
The South African Military Veterans Organisation International (SAMVOINT) is an ex-servicemen / women's organisation comprising Military and Police Veterans who were called up or who volunteered to serve their country, South Africa, in the SADF / SANDF, SAP / SAPS, or the South African Correctional Services, and who now reside in and outside of South Africa.
There can be no doubt that we proudly served in the best defence force that Africa has ever seen.
This Veteran Organisation dedicates itself, in grateful recognition and memory of their countrymen, the Immortal Dead of South Africa, who, at the call of Duty, made the supreme Sacrifice on the battlefields of Africa, Asia and Europe, on land, at sea and in the air.
