The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has for the past ten years made a significant difference in wartorn Africa during peace support operations, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

"The SANDF has put South Africa amongst one of the world's largest contributors of peacekeeping operations," said Zuma, who is the Commander in Chief of the SANDF.

The President was speaking at the ten-year celebration parade of the Department of Defence's involvement in peace missions in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Africa at the Bloemspruit Air Force Base outside Bloemfontein.

The parade included some 1 000 troops from units deployed on peacekeeping missions in Africa.

Zuma said those on parade had won a place in the hearts of many people.

"Victims of instability can now see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Zuma said South Africa's involvement in peace support operations had also showed the world that the country was an honest and reliable peace broker.

The President said South Africa would continue to work with the African Union and the United Nations in pursuing peace on the African continent.

Referring to the soldiers on parade, Zuma said the country recognised that it was not always plain sailing for the soldiers on peace support missions.

"I am very proud of the achievements of our soldiers in protecting the country. You have made us proud to be South Africans," he said.