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.
Armed Forces Day is held annually on 21 February in commemoration of 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.
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 life of the nation and to demonstrate through live simulations of military action the capability of the army, navy, air force and South African Medical Health Service.
Furthermore, Armed Forces Day fuels the imagination of young South Africans in terms of choosing career paths and exercising their passion and abilities.
The President will commence the day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Empangeni World War II Monument.
President Ramaphosa will then proceed to the military parade where he will take a salute from the South African National Defence Force and deliver an address to the forces and the public.
The President’s programme is as follows:
First Part: Wreath Laying Ceremony
Date: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Empangeni World War II Monument
Second Part: Military Parade
Date: Tuesday, 21 February 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: Bullion Boulevard Street, Richard’s Bay