President Cyril Ramaphosa officiates at the Armed Forces Day celebrations in Kimberley, 21 Feb

The Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), President Cyril Ramaphosa, will on Wednesday, 21 February 2018, officiate at the Armed Forc es Day celebrations in Kimberley, Northern Cape.   
 
Armed Forces Day commemorates the centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi on 21 February 1917, which became one of South African’s worst tragedies of the First World War (1914-1918).  A total of 616 of South African black troops died when the SS Mendi steamship sank on its way to France.  
 
These celebrations also seek to expand public understanding of the role of the SANDF and it further demonstrate the capability and contribution to society of the country's armed forces. President Ramaphosa and Commander in Chief will award gold medals to members of the SANDF for their outstanding work and service to the country.
 
Following the Kimberley event, President Ramaphosa will return to Cape Town to attend the Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance,

The Armed Forces Day celebrations will take place as follows:
 
Date: Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Time: 08h00
Venue: The Cenotaph World War Monument, Kimberley
 
For more information please contact:
Sam Bopape
Cell: 082 3185251

Tyrone Seale
Cell: 083 575 7440