President Jacob Zuma and the Commander-in-Chief of the South African Armed Forces will on Sunday, 21 February 2016 host Armed Forces Day which aims to celebrate and honour members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) under the theme “A professional and capable defence force for the people of South Africa”, in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

In 2012, President Zuma proclaimed that 21 February each year will be observed and commemorated as Armed Forces Day to raise public awareness about the work of SANDF and to demonstrate the role of defence forces in a democratic state and its immense contribution to peace and stability in the continent.

President Zuma will begin his programme in the morning at New Brighton where he will lay a wreath at SS Mendi Memorial in commemoration of South African soldiers who died when the military steamship SS Mendi sank in 21 February 1917.

The President will proceed to a military parade where he will hand out medals to honour the deserving SANDF members for their outstanding performances in various military operations and take a salute from the South African National Defence Force.

The programme of the President is as follows:

First Part: Wreath Laying Ceremony

Date: Sunday, 21 February 2016

Time: 08h00

Venue: SS Mendi Memorial, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth

Second Part: Military Parade

Date:    Sunday, 21 February 2016

Time:    10h00

Venue:  King’s Beach, Brooke Hill Street and Beach Road, Port Elizabeth

Members of the media wishing to attend the event should send their details including ID and passport numbers to Lieutenant Commander Theo Mabina on 060 554 8031 / sandfmedialiaison@gmail.com or Proffesor Ndawonde on 079 891 2782 or proffesor@presidency.gov.za

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za and Siphiwe Dlamini on 083 645 4294 or Siphiwe.dlamini@dod.mil.za