Chairperson, without a doubt we feel that the comrades who sacrificed and dedicated their lives to democracy and freedom in South Africa and their families need to benefit from a special pension. The house raids in the middle of the night, the detention, the riots, living in exile, all left our people in serious displacement from a normal, comfortable life of human dignity and respect.
I have, however, one concern. Besides these people there were those who also struggled and fought for our freedom. They were heroes in our communities, keeping our people together and mobilising against the apartheid regime. I believe that there are many forgotten heroes and many of them still don't qualify.
I believe we cannot measure the rights to this benefit by how much time you spent in detention, but rather let communities pay tribute by listing the people from their communities who kept them afloat in the darkest of times. The MF supports the Special Pensions Amendment Bill. I thank you.