Date: 25/04/2007

Source: KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government

Title: Mkhize: Medal parade and anniversary of 121 SAI Battalion

Speech by MEC for Finance and Economic Development of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize, and honorary colonel of the KwaZulu-Natal SAHMS at the medal parade and anniversary of 121 SAI BN

Umntwana wakwaPhindangene, Dr M.G. Buthelezi
His Worship, the Mayor of Umtubatuba, Councillor Chris Swart
Inkosi Mkhwanazi
Councillors and Municipal Managers present
Lt-Col Aarons, senior officers, officers
Non-commissioned Officers
Members on parade
Ladies and gentlemen

It is an honour and privilege for me to address you at this special event to celebrate our Thirteenth Anniversary of the new democracy and freedom of the people of South Africa, where members of the 121 SAI Battalion receive medals. You have worked very hard for these medals and you must always wear them with pride.

You deserve these medals and you must always remember that you are an example to many soldiers since the medals that you wear are a symbol of dedication, commitment, loyalty and patriotism. A true patriot is he or she who is prepared to sacrifice everything even lay down his or her life for the good of his or her country. These medals indicate your readiness to give your very best for your unit and your country. As members of the South African National Defence Force, you are the symbol of hope to our people and our country. Wherever you are, you carry their blessings, their spiritual support and best wishes, for their safety has been entrusted in your care, unlike the apartheid army of the past that was considered to be the enemy of the majority of our people.

I want to thank your families and loved ones for supporting you, because as long as you knew they were coping, you could concentrate on your noble work for the nation. You, the members of the families, supported these soldiers to become well trained, well experienced, highly committed and loyal to serve not only the battalion and the country but also a strange and desolate country of Burundi. This is despite being at home alone with the children for long periods, but like true South African women, you kept the fires burning. With such support, any soldier can become successful. We thank you in the name of South Africa.

As loyal soldiers, your task and responsibility is to defend our freedom, democracy and justice. Your duty is to maintain peace and protect the people of South Africa. This is a huge responsibility that requires courage and discipline. This raises the issue of the conduct of individual soldiers in the camp and in private. There is a concern about the loss of army property from army premises where it is well known that no outside intruder can enter. The loss of such property costs the state lots of money and it is not the kind of behaviour that befits members of such a respected organisation. You have to exercise self-control and police one another. The second issue is the matter of how soldiers as young people conduct themselves in relationships in the face of the ferocious pandemic of HIV and AIDS. We call on you to protect yourselves from the infection. The whole country looks up to you for protection. You have to take precautions to prevent HIV infection.

Those already infected have a responsibility to ensure that no one is infected by them. Thereafter they need to follow the strict guidelines of healthy lifestyle and not simply give in because there is life after the diagnosis of HIV infection. So you have to lead by force of example of your conduct. However, I am pleased to state that the record of discipline of members of the 121 SAI Battalion during your deployment both internally and externally has been excellent. It makes me proud to stand here today in front of a group of soldiers so proud and so willing to serve. Wherever you went you were good ambassadors for the unit, our people and the country. The people of Burundi will always remember the role that you played in bringing peace to their country. Because of your role, political stability, peace and democracy have taken root in the Central African region. It is because of you that the South African National Defence Force, our people and our country are widely respected by the international community for our contribution in the creation of a better world order.

Today we are celebrating the 28th anniversary of the battalion. Since its establishment in 1979, the unit has grown in strength and has also affiliated with the Royal Regiment of Wales, a unit which lost the battle of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift against our brave forefathers, under the command of His Majesty Cetshwayo Ka Mpande. This just confirms the international recognition that 121 SAI Battalion has and you should be very proud of your history. To this day, the name Isandlwana is a household name that has been passed from generation to generation among British citizens, since they had never imagined that our forefathers were capable such military prowess capable of defeating one of the world's topmost imperial military forces of the time.

In more modern times 121 SAI Battalion served in the former South West Africa, now known as Namibia with great success. During the integration process, this unit received large numbers of former Umkhonto WeSizwe, African People's Liberation Army, and later members of the Self Protection Units. Again you showed the finest characteristics of good soldiers, you put the past behind, becoming one force, ready for battle when requested, united and loyal to our constitution and our flag.

Recently, you received large numbers of Military Skills Development Soldiers, young soldiers who were eager and willing to do their best for the country. The older soldiers took them by hand and led them to become excellent soldiers. This resulted in a very successful participation in the SA Army Exercise SEBOKA in 2005 and deployment in Burundi in 2005/2006.

Despite all the changes in the unit and in the country you have lived up to your motto PRAETAMUS, that means, Excellence in Unity. Like the strong leopard symbolised in your badge, you overcame all these changes and have become strong and united.

I want to congratulate Lt-Col Aarons and all members involved with presenting this excellent day and parade. You have made me proud to be associated with the 121 SAI Battalion. I wish you all the best for the future. May the name of the 121 SAI Battalion live long in the history of KwaZulu-Natal and the country.

Halala!!
I thank you.

Issued by: Provincial Treasury, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
25 April 2007