South Africa Salutes its Military During Armed Forces Day

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated at the annual Armed Forces Day, which took place on 21 February. It is the 10th South African parade-celebration, dedicated to the country's military.

South African President and Commander-in-Chief of the country's Defense Force, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressed the country's military during the annual Armed Forces Day celebration.

The president emphasized the meaning of the celebration to the whole South African nation: "Every year we observe Armed Forces Day to recognize and celebrate the immense contribution made by the members of our armed forces in creating a better life for the South African people and for the people of our beloved continent Africa."

In his speech, Ramaphosa honored the memory of every member of South Africa's Forces "who has lost his or her life in the line of duty".

Moreover, the president paid special attention to the memory of the victims of the SS Mendi naval tragedy. The troopship sank in the English Channel on 21 February 1917 after colliding with another ship in thick fog, killing 646 people, mostly South African soldiers, along with the crew.

The president recalled Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyobha, one of the ship's passengers. According to South African oral history, the man not only faced his death with dignity, but also calmed those who were prone to panic on board.

"As we gather to honor the serving members of our armed forces, those who have served in the past and those who have fallen over the years, we are reminded that we stand on the shoulders of patriots such as Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyobha who, when confronted with death aboard the SS Mendi, led his countrymen in song," Ramaphosa said.

Earlier that day, the South African president laid a wreath at the World War Memorial site in Richard'’s Bay, KwaZulu-Natal province, commemorating victims of the SS Mendi tragedy.

In his address to the military, the president outlined how much the servicemen do for the country's better.

"Although our armed forces are always on guard to defend our hard-earned sovereignty and constitutional democratic order, they do much more than that. They actively contribute to the social and economic development of our country," he said, adding: "They have time and again shown that they are a force for good and an integral part of all progressive humanity."

General Rudzani Maphwanya, chief of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), explained that Armed Forces Day started out a decade ago with the aim of bringing the SANDF to the people.

General Maphwanya also noted that the event has grown since its inaugural event in Atteridgeville, when soldiers from only one company took part. This year a brigade-size force was engaged, with more than 8 000 servicemen deployed along with four maritime ships, dozens of aircraft, and hundreds of vehicles, Maphwanya said.

South Africa has celebrated Armed Forces Day for 10 years since 2013, when it was first held on 21 February in Ga Mothakga Resort, Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

This year celebrations took place in Richard's Bay, in the uMhlathuze municipality, and last year Armed Forces Day was celebrated in Mbombela, Mpumalanga province.