The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape launched a veterans' league on Sunday, the party's provincial task team said.

"Our veterans have experience and expertise in the running of the ANC. They can make a big contribution towards the strengthening of the party," said task team co-ordinator Shaun Byneveldt.

The launch in Gugulethu was in line with the ANC's Polokwane resolutions, which sought to create a veterans' league with equal status to the existing youth and women's leagues, he said.

Only people 60 years or older qualified to be members of the league. They had to have made 40 years of uninterrupted contribution to the struggle for liberation in the ANC.

"We have 92 confirmed veterans from all six regions of the province," said Byneveldt. Provinces needed at least 60 veterans to be recognised.

Speaking at the launch, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, who convenes the task team, emphasised the important role veterans played in liberating South Africa.

The league elected its provincial leadership and considered a draft constitution in preparation for its national launch in December.

The task team was put in place to run the party in the province after the provincial executive committee was disbanded in July.

Sapa

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