President Ramaphosa to officiate the annual Armed Forces Day programme

[Nat Quinn]

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), officiate the annual Armed Forces Day programme at Richard’s Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday, 21 February 2023.

RAMAPHOSA COMMEMORATES WORLD WAR I NAVAL TRAGEDY

Armed Forces Day is held annually on 21 February to commemorate the World War I naval tragedy in which 616 black South African troops died when the SS Mendi steamship sank on its way to France.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will commence Armed Forces Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Empangeni World War II Monument. Image: Nic BOTHMA / POOL / AFP

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Armed Forces Day honours women and men who have lost their lives in the course of their patriotic duty in the country or on international missions.

The day also seeks to expand public understanding of the role of the SANDF in the nation’s life and to demonstrate through live simulations of military action the capability of the army, navy, air force, and South African Medical Health Service.

ARMED FORCES DAY HONOURS WOMEN AND MEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

Armed Forces Day fuels the imagination of youth in terms of choosing career paths and exercising their passion and abilities.

President Ramaphosa will commence Armed Forces Days with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Empangeni World War II Monument.

South African military aircraft on show during a previous Armed Forces Day. Image: GCIS

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RAMAPHOSA TAKES A SALUTE FROM THE SANDF

The president will then proceed to the military parade, where he will take a salute from the SANDF. Ramaphosa will then deliver an address to the armed forces and the public.

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President Ramaphosa’s programme for the Annual Armed forces Day is as follows:

• First Part: Wreath Laying Ceremony at Empangeni World War II Monument, Tuesday, 21 February 2023, at 9h00.

• Second Part: Military Parade at Bullion Boulevard Street, Richards Bay, Tuesday,21 February 2023 at 10h00.

 

President Ramaphosa officiates the Armed Forces Day programme (thesouthafrican.com)

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