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Eyewitness News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
UN Peacekeeping Day: SANDF honours fallen soldiers killed in DRC
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Defence Force (SANDF) will honuor 14 soldiers who died on assignment in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a wreath-laying ceremony in Bloemfontein on Thursday. This in line with the global commemoration of United Nations Peacekeeping Day. The annual event seeks to honour military, police and civilian peacekeepers who have contributed to creating a more equal and just world. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also be laying a wreath at the peacekeepers memorial in New York, in the United States to honor troops globally. More than 4000 fallen heroes and heroines have died since the first peacekeeping mission was established in 1948. READ: SANDF to honour 14 soldiers who died in DRC on UN Peacekeeping Day Their sacrifices will be honoured and celebrated globally for their pursuit of fostering peace in war-ridden countries. South Africa will remember 14 fallen soldiers during the conflict between the eastern DRC government and rebel group M23. "The South African National Defence Force takes a moment to reflect and honour its heroes and heroines. We do this annually in partnership with the United Nations to commemorate and they come here with their special representative here in South Africa and to ensure that we are still revived in terms of the message of ensuring that there is regional peace and stability in the continent," said SANDF spokesperson, Prince Tshabalala.
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
SANDF to honour 14 soldiers who died in DRC on UN Peacekeeping Day
JOHANNESBURG - As the national defence force prepares to commemorate United Nations Peacekeeping Day on Thursday, Acting Chaplain General Masello Mothopeng said the day bears great significance. The day is marked annually to pay tribute to the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Recently, South Africa lost 14 soldiers in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The troops were deployed to the region in December 2023 to forge peace in the conflict-ridden country. General Mothopeng said that they would be honoured on Thursday. "This day is very significant as it touches, as I already alluded, that it touches on the lives of our members. Remember, that these men and women, when they leave their families, leave their country, leave with a smile and come back in coffins. It's something that also not only affects their families but also the nation at large."
