M Lekota: Commissioning of SAS Mendi

20 March 2007

Kumkani Sandile waMaRarabe
Queen Ndamase WaseNyandeni of Western Pondoland
Ms M. Coleman MEC for Finance of Mpumalanga Province,
Mr C. Mokitlane MEC for Agriculture of the Freestate,
Mr L Ramatlakane, MEC for Community Safety of the Western Cape,
Mr L Jam-Jam, CEO of PE Hospital representing Eastern Cape MEC for
Health,
Members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature,
Ms Thandi Tobias Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and members
of the Portfolio Committee on Defence,
Nkosi TN Magadla leader of the House of Traditional Leaders,
Nkosi MJN Matanzima Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders,
Deputy Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders Prince Burns
Ncamase,
Councillor B Ndone, Deputy Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan,
Municipality and Councillors,
Mr Stone Sizani, Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in the
Eastern Cape,
Rev Xundu President of the Provincial Council of Churches,
Ms Y Posa speaker of Mpumalanga Legislature,
Dr Ruth Mompati, Godmother of the SAS Mendi,
Councillor Dr van Graan,
Secretary for Defence, Mr January Masilela,
Dr Popo Molefe and members of the Armscor Board,
Chief of the SA Navy, also representing the Chief of the South African Defence
Force (SANDF),
Vice Admiral Refiloe Mudimu,
Chiefs of Services, Mr F Lopez CEO ADS,
Dr Eckel Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems,
Senior Official of the Department of Defence, Flag Officers, Generals,
Officers, Non commissioned officers, members of the media,
Officer Commanding SAS Mendi Captain Jimmy Schutte and the ships company of the
SAS Mendi,
Ladies and gentlemen

The commissioning of SAS Mendi is an important milestone in the history of
our nation. Today marks the commemoration of the loss of the lives of the sons
of our country during the sinking of SAS Mendi, and recognises their spiritual
return affirmed in our commissioning ceremony today.

The history of our country and Sub Continent has been written in the heart
and soul of our nation, through the many stories, narrated by men and women
across centuries. From the wisdom of our Rain Queen, Queen Modjadji, to the
prowess of 'Manthatisi', from the perseverance of Charlotte Maxeke inspired by
her vision of justice, to the fortitude of the warriors of Isandlwana and the
soldiers who forged our history in the mountains of Amathole, to the innovative
tactical manoeuvres of the battle of Spioenkop.

From the footprints in history left by recent generations, by such giants as
Oliver Reginald Tambo, Edwin Mofutsanyane, JB Marks, Govan Mbeki, Chris Hani,
Moses Mabhida, Yussuf Dadoo, Moses Kotane and Steve Biko, to the many, often
unknown, acts of immense valour of the Commanders of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Raymond
Mhlaba and Wilton Mkwayi and their fellow stalwarts Vuyisile Mini and Zinakile
Mkhaba, it seems that which best epitomises an era has its form in story and
narrative.

Members on parade, as the ship's company of SAS Mendi, you are today joining
history. Your contribution to the performance of the South African National
Defence Force (SANDF), our nation, our region and continent through
peacekeeping efforts and defence of our country will be forever be cherished
and narrated by succeeding generations of our people.

For it is through story telling that the ethos of our community is captured,
reflecting that which we hold dear and sacred and that which we look upon with
contempt as not worthy of decent human beings. But, more than that, it is
through the telling of stories that we are able truly to comprehend the
complexity of the present. It is through understanding the history of our
forebears, that we understand our heritage and it is through retelling these
stories, that we not only affirm the role of our predecessors in creating our
nation, but that we come to terms with the challenges of the future.

The Commissioning of the SAS Mendi allows for reflection on another episode
– the episode of the SS Mendi - a ship which carried upon her the lives of more
than eight hundred of the sons of South Africa. These young men were to be
borne away to fight in the First World War. A war which arose of the need to
create nationalities, preserve freedom and justice, the very freedom and
justice which they longed to posses, but which they were denied.

So it was on 16 January 1917, that the Mendi sailed from Cape Town en route
to Le Havre, in France, carrying the last contingent of the so-named South
African Native Labour Corps, comprising 805 African privates, five white
officers, 17 non commissioned officers, and a crew of 33. And on the morning of
21 February 1917, another ship, the SS Darro, travelling at full speed and
emitting no warning signal, rammed the SS Mendi, which sank in 20 minutes.
Many, many narratives are told about this Genesis of Brotherhood in South
Africa, tales depicting the bravery of the men, as the ship went down; stories
of valour which tell of how our sons leapt into the icy water, singing hymns
and prayers and offering words of encouragement to each other; until at last
some 607 African troops, together with nine of their fellow white countrymen
and all 33 crew members, succumbed to a watery grave and paid the final
price.

And among all those stories of bravery, it is perhaps the words of the
Reverend Isaac Dyobha which reach out to us across the decades, for in those
icy waters, and as the hand of death approached, he spoke as follows:

"Be quiet and calm my countrymen, for what is taking place now is what you
came here to do. We are all going to die and that is what we came for.
Brothers, we are drilling the death drill. I, a Zulu, say here and now that you
are all my brothers Xhosas, Swazis, Pondos, Basotho and all others, let us die
like warriors. We are the sons of Africa. Raise your war cries my brothers, for
though they have made us leave our assegais back in the kraals, our voices are
left with our bodies."

We are the sons of Africa
And it is in that story, that we see the heart of that which we affirm today.
For the words of Reverend Dyobha speak of men, who, regardless of clan or
tribe, faced death together. They speak of men who, despite being victims of a
system of oppression which forbade their access to freedom, were inspired by a
Vision of justice and freedom, a vision which was so strong that they were
willing to commit their lives to the pursuit thereof.

And it is with this affirmation that we gather here today to commission SAS
Mendi, the fourth of our Meko Patrol Frigates. The SAS Mendi's task is to
participate in providing maritime defence to our country, its peoples, the
region and the Continent. However, her task is far greater than this, for she
is also to serve as a constant reminder of the bravery and the valour of our
predecessors and of their willingness to lay down their lives in pursuit of the
Vision of a society where all would participate equally and where all brothers
and sisters of Africa would be united by the principles enshrined within the
Constitution of our country.

Thus, as we commission the SAS Mendi, both as a symbol of sacrifice and
brotherhood and also as a symbol of hope, let us reflect for a moment on those
obligations which such a symbol enshrines. Firstly, we are obligated to affirm
and acknowledge that the fruits of democracy which we enjoy today were won at
very great cost. The lives of the best of our sons and daughters were lost in
pursuit thereof and it is beholden upon us to be ever mindful of this.

Secondly, we affirm and acknowledge the many achievements attained since the
founding of our Democracy in 1994. As illustration, let us consider just a few
of these:

1. The growth rate of our economy over the past two and a half years has
been at its highest since 1994.
2. Employment opportunities have increased by some 500 000 per year.
3. Service provision and other aspects of the social wage have improved
significantly.
4. Other successes have been notable, being found in diverse sectors such as
housing, passenger support and access to basic commodities such as water and
sanitation.

Thirdly, as we affirm the attainment of these milestones, let us too, be
mindful of the tasks which lie ahead. If, as a nation, we accept the pledge to
ensure a Better Life for All, so too, we accept the obligation to collectively
participate in working together to rid our society of all that is
unrepresentative of a free and democratic society. We have a mutual obligation
to each other, inspired by the solidarity exemplified by the crew the SS Mendi,
and affirmed today with the commissioning of SAS Mendi, a soul which speaks of
unity and not division, of the sons and daughters of Africa, inspired by a
Vision of a nation where all our people, regardless of ethnic origin, race,
colour or gender, work together to build a South Africa defined by a common
dream.

In this regard, the department affirms its intention to continue to
energetically support internal government initiatives such as Accelerated
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) in order to foster the
development of skills and economic prosperity for all. The role of our
department is essential in ensuring success in this national project. In this
regard, we are confident of our contribution through our Military Skills
Development Programme. This programme makes provision for young men and women
to be equipped with key skills in the fields of medicine, engineering
information technology, financial management and language within the
disciplined ethos of a professional military in a democracy. On completion of
the service in the department, these youth will be the key of building the new
South Africa.

Fourthly, we need to affirm and acknowledge that the commissioning of the
SAS Mendi carries with it not only obligations which are exercised within the
borders of our nation but also abroad. It was some 50 years ago that the great
African Statesman, Kwame Nkrumah, inspired by the dream of uniting the whole
Continent of Africa in freedom, declared that the independence of Ghana is
meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African
continent. It is only when all the sons and daughters of Africa are able to
enjoy the fruits of democracy that we will be able to confirm that the memories
of those who lost their lives on the SS Mendi all those many years ago have
been justified.

It is with this Vision in mind that we shall continue to work with the
sister people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, the Sudan, Comoros
and Madagascar to ensure that the democracy, stability and peace attained thus
far, translates into active economic reconstruction and focused concerted
social development in all sectors. It is with this vision in mind, Programme
Director that we are working with the people of the Central African Republic to
assist them in their quest to ensure peace and stability in their country.

We are proud of our achievements in assisting with the consolidation of
democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and of the important
role played by the men and women of the South African National Defence Force in
this regard.

We acknowledge, too, the role played by our country in the restoration of
peace in the Great Lakes Region in general. Yet, despite these successes, we
acknowledge the challenges we face in dealing with operational difficulties
where efforts to end conflict continue. We speak here of the peace processes in
the DRC, Darfur, Sudan, Central African Republic, Burundi and Somalia and we
affirm that our nation will respond appropriately and as our capacity permits,
to continue to work for peace and reconciliation in these areas.

We shall support vigorously the implementation of the New Partnership for
Africa's Development (NEPAD) programmes within our region and on the Continent,
through the use of SAS Mendi and other SANDF capabilities. The ship will assist
us to actively consolidate the successes attained to date by such initiatives
as the Sea Power for Africa Symposium and the Standing Maritime Committee. Not
to do so would be remiss, both to our nation and to the spirit of the histories
written by our predecessors.

In conclusion, the course of our history as a nation has followed the
unfolding of the Vision of a society where all the sons and daughters of our
nation are able to participate equally and freely and where our collective
efforts ensure a better life for all. It has been this which has underpinned
the acts of valour of preceding generations; it has been this which was spoken
of, in the sinking of the SS Mendi and it is this which is affirmed in our
commissioning of the SAS Mendi today.

Let succeeding generations stop here whenever this day comes and say: "We
shall keep up the spirit of valour and service of the crew of the Mendi."

I thank you

Issued by: Department of Defence
20 March 2007