President Jacob Zuma will on Saturday, 21 February 2016, preside over the Armed Forces Day celebration in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province.

In 2012, President Zuma, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), proclaimed that 21 February each year will be observed and commemorated as Armed Forces Day.

“Armed Forces Day is to be a day on which the South African population honours the men and women of the South African National Defence Force by affirming their support and gratitude to them for upholding the Constitution of the Republic and defending the territorial integrity of the Republic and protecting its people. It is for this reason that Armed Forces Day coincides with the commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi on 21 February 1917,” said President Zuma.

Since the proclamation, the Armed Forces Day has been celebrated in the three provinces, namely: Gauteng, the Free State and the North West Province respectively. This year – 2016 - the Armed Forces Day will be venerated in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape Province preceded by various activities with the aim of educating and creating awareness in the public about the South African National Defence Force, its role, function and capabilities.

The Commander-in-Chief and President of the Republic, President Zuma will officiate in the 5th segment of Armed Force Day to be held on the 21 February 2016, at 10.00, Brooke Hill Street and Beach Road, Port Elizabeth. As the main functionary he will take the salute from the South African National Defence Force during the military parade.

The Armed Forces Day was implemented to achieve the several objectives which are as follows:

• To unite all South Africans behind our military.
• To allow the SANDF to interact with communities.
• To expand public understanding of role the military and its purpose to society,
• To showcase the latest military equipment and technologies that is used to protect the public.
• To demonstrate the military combat readiness against a threat and to support government during peace time.
• The Armed Forces Day will be preceded by various activities during the week of the 13 -20 February 2016.

These activities will include the following:

Sporting events: 16 -19 February 2016

At Gelvan Park Sports Complex, the SANDF will conduct a number of sporting activities with the aim of encouraging healthy living and fitness amongst young people and more importantly the participation and interactions within different communities.

Handing over of legacy projects: 20 February 2016

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the Minister of Social Development will hand over three old age homes that have been repaired and refurbished by the SANDF’s Works Regiment.

The main event of the week: Armed forces day and wreath laying ceremony: 21 February 2016

The main event is the Armed Forces Day on 21 February 2016. The President will hand out medals to the deserving SANDF members and take a salute. The march past will consist of about one thousand (1000) SANDF members and over hundred vehicles and aircraft that will participate in the March and fly past.

This will be followed by a capability demonstration by all four Services which involved live demonstration of anti-piracy operations, beach landing by the South African Army, the release of hostages by SA Special Forces and the extraction of injured personnel by the South Air Force and the South African Military Health Services.

 

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Presidency