Question NW394 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
15 March 2016 - NW394
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to the Armed Forces Day to be celebrated in Port Elizabeth on 21 February 2016, (a)(i) what is the motivation and (ii) what are the objectives regarding the specified celebration, (b) what is the budget for this, (c) how does this compare with the expenditure of previous years and (d) how is the expenditure justified in the present constrained spending climate; (2) whether there were any other greater priorities on which the budget for the specified day could rather have been spent; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- (a) (i-ii) The motivation is to honour our soldiers and to encourage the citizens on what the SANDF is made of and to promote patriotism.
(b,c and d) The budget cannot be compared but can be justified on economic benefits of the businesses around Port Elizabeth. The business community can indicate economic benefit out of Armed Forces Day.
(2) This is one greater priority that makes public awareness about the SANDF capability. The South African citizens deserve to know how their money is utilised.