Reintegration into civilian life: the case of former MK and APLA combatants

The history of armed struggle against apartheid in South Africa meant that, following the end of the apartheid regime, the country was left with a multitude of armed forces, each of which had the potential to destabilise it. Part of the response to this challenge was a strategy of demobilising former combatants and reintegrating them into civilian life.

This study attempts to analyse how well reintegration initiatives by government and non-governmental organisations have worked and to assess the current situations of former combatants. It presents the results of a survey of 410 former combatants and of interviews with the representatives of organisations and networks that support them.

Its findings include that:

• the reintegration process was poorly planned, co-ordinated and implemented, and was also decided in a top-down manner with little involvement of the former combatants or civil society organisations
• around one third of the respondents had joined the armed forces when they were under 18; 60 per cent had not completed high school, although one third had received some form of educational or skills training while serving in the armed forces
• 66 per cent of the former combatants surveyed were unemployed, compared to around 30 per cent of the general population
• the most common reasons cited for unemployment were a lack of education and skills; insufficient employment experience; and a lack of personal contacts
• nearly half of the respondents had made efforts to start their own business, but these initiatives generally appear to have been short-lived due to a lack of business skills, funds and profitability
• 39 per cent indicated that they suffered from psychological problems; none had received treatment or counselling.

The article concludes with a list of recommendations, including:

• former combatants should be provided with a education and vocational training; internship programmes; a monthly subsistence; career counselling; free and accessible health care; some farming land for those interested in farming; and a small loan scheme for those interested in starting businesses
• training should be provided by the Department of Labour in conjunction with other interested organisations, and should be attuned to the local context and based on an analysis of the labour market
• the Department of Defence and the Office for Military Veterans’ Affairs should seek assistance and form partnerships with organisations that provide support to people with disabilities
• the specific needs of female former combatants need to be identified and addressed.