President Zuma remembers fallen black WWI troops
Updated | By JacarandaFM News
President and Commander-in-Chief of South Africa's armed forces, Jacob Zuma, has paid tribute to 607 black troops who died on this day a century ago.
President Zuma officiated the 6th Armed Forces Day celebration in Durban.
The troops died when the SS Mendi sank in the icy water of the English Channel on 21 February 2017.
They were heading to France from Cape Town to serve in the First World War.
Maryke Vermaak is there.
President Zuma says black people had volunteered to join the First World War in order to fight against fascism.
"They were ahead of their time. They were internationalists who loved peace and justice," says President Zuma.
President Zuma says SA, together with France, are in the process of restoring the dignity and humanity of the black soldiers who perished on that fateful day.
"We salute their courage, bravery and commitment. We salute their quest for a more equal, and just world, for the better world we are still working to achieve one hundred years later," says President Zuma.
President Zuma also thanked thousands of our soldiers, saying that their work is highly appreciated.
"We thank you for answering the call to serve. We have full confidence in you. Armed Forces Day is an important feature of our national calendar. It provides an opportunity to promote better understanding of the SANDF and its role in the consolidation and defence of our democracy and our people," says President Zuma.
WATCH #ArmedForcesDay The flag is handed over.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 21, 2017
MV pic.twitter.com/UxaTcqxoCH
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