S Moloto: Accepting honour of Honorary Colonel of Area Military Health
Unit

24 February 2005

Members of the Executive Council,
Executive Mayors,
MPs and MPLs,
Surgeon General Lt General V Ramlakan,
His Grace Bishop EB Lekganyane
General Officer Commanding Area Military Health Formation Brigadier General NK
Moodley,
Officer Commanding Area Military Health Unit Limpopo Colonel Jansen van
Rensburg,
Warrant Officer of South Africa Military Health Service Formation Regiment
Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Humbulani Magidi,
Non-Commissioned officers and privates,
Military veterans,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen

Since 1994, our defence force has undergone a tremendous and painful rebirth
that saw the integration of both statutory and non-statutory forces. As you
will know, this transformation process resulted in the establishment of one
national defence force which all people of South Africa are now proud to
identify with. The mission, values and vision of the new defence force has been
drastically changed to reflect the new focus of the democratic State which is
safety and security, maintaining the sovereignty of the State and peacekeeping
missions in the rest of Africa.

Our defence force has discarded its past image of being the hated racist
army known only for destabilising townships and neighbouring countries. The
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is now seen leading peace missions
in war torn parts of Africa under the umbrella of the United Nations (UN) and
the African Union (AU), thus pursuing the objectives of New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Closer to home, we have seen the South African Military Health Service in
Limpopo involved in many life saving activities in our province and beyond.
These include the heroic role you played during the 2000 floods and the
rescuing mission in Mozambique. On behalf of the people of Limpopo, we wish to
take this opportunity to congratulate the bravery of men and women who took
part in these successful missions. The Provincial government is proud to be
associated with our Army and South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) in
particular. You will continue to be a source of inspiration to the province and
we should continue to strive for better co-ordination and support on matters of
mutual interest.

As you all know, our province is prone to disasters, we move from one
extreme to the other. If we are not faced with drought it is usually floods.
Therefore, this calls for greater co-operation and partnership between the
Provincial Disaster Management Unit and the army. Today’s occasion can only
serve to cement the existing relations and we are very excited about these
developments.

Master of ceremonies
It is both and honour and privilege for us to be bestowed with this honour of
being the Honorary Colonel in the service of the Area Military Health Unit. We
are greatly humbled by this gesture of goodwill and trust which you have shown
on the leadership of the province. We accept the honour conscious and mindful
of the added responsibilities that come with it and promise to do whatever it
takes to live up to your dreams and expectations. All what we do, we do it in
the name of the province and its people.

May the great Limpopo shine forever!!
Thank you.
God bless.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
24 February 2005
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo.gov.za)