A group of military veterans, former members of the historic South African Cape Corps, have launched a new political party in response to what they describe as three decades of neglect and exclusion since the dawn of democracy.
The new SAKK Military Veterans Party has announced its intention to contest the 2026 local government elections, aiming to secure a seat at the table where decisions about veterans’ benefits and recognition are made.
The party draws its membership from veterans of the Cape Corps and its predecessor units, which were the primary military organizations for so-called “colored” members of the South African population. The Corps was reformed in 1963 as a non-combatant service unit. Many who served now say they have been sidelined in the democratic era.
A spokesperson for the veterans expressed the group’s profound frustration with the current system. “We’ve been sifted aside when it comes to our benefits,” he said. “There’s too much delaying tactics.”
This perceived marginalization led directly to the decision to form a party. The spokesperson explained the strategic move, stating, “Then we decided right now we’re going to establish a party so that we can also sit where they are sitting when they might make decisions about us.”
The newly formed party plans to recruit former soldiers from across the Northern Cape, including those who served as part of the South African Defense Force.
However, a political analyst expressed skepticism about the potential impact of the new party, pointing to South Africa’s already crowded political landscape. “I believe that a smaller party like the SAKK Military Veterans Party… is a small party that is not going to have an impact,” the analyst said. “At best these parties will attain smaller, limited support among certain population groups.”
Despite this challenge, the SAKK Military Veterans Party remains focused on its core mission. The party asserts that the untold stories of all soldiers who contributed to South Africa’s liberation must be documented and recognized.
Registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the SAKK Military Veterans Party is set to be officially launched this October.