On Thursday, 29 May 2025, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) marked the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with a solemn memorial service at de Brug Military Base in Bloemfontein — paying tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives in the service of peace, both at home and on international missions.
By Pule Letshwiti-Jones – eNCA and Shonisani Tshikalange – Times
The annual event, held with full military honours, was attended by families of the fallen, senior SANDF leadership, and government representatives. Defence Minister Thandi Modise and SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya led the proceedings, laying wreaths and addressing the nation in remembrance of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“This day is a reminder that peace is not passive — it is secured through sacrifice,” said Minister Modise. “Our peacekeepers served not only our country but humanity at large. Today we honour them, especially those who lost their lives far from home, wearing the blue beret of the United Nations.”
This year’s commemoration carries added significance as it coincides with South Africa’s delayed withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While the SANDF had committed to pulling out its troops from the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) by mid-2025, officials have confirmed that the withdrawal deadline will not be met due to ongoing security threats in the eastern regions of the country.
General Maphwanya acknowledged the operational difficulties but emphasised South Africa’s continued commitment to regional peace: “We do not walk away from missions when stability is fragile. Our presence in the DRC is still needed — and our soldiers remain ready to uphold the mandate.”
The SANDF has long played a key role in UN and AU peacekeeping missions across Africa. South African troops have served in some of the continent’s most volatile regions, including Sudan, Burundi, and the DRC — often under challenging and dangerous conditions.
At Thursday’s service, the names of the most recently fallen were read aloud, accompanied by a moment of silence and the playing of the Last Post. Soldiers lowered the national flag and fired a ceremonial gun salute in tribute.
Families of the fallen shared stories of sacrifice, pride, and grief. “My husband died trying to protect a community in North Kivu,” said one widow. “Today’s ceremony is a comfort — it reminds us that their sacrifice meant something, and they are not forgotten.”
As the nation paused to reflect on its role in global peace efforts, the memorial served not only as a tribute, but as a sober reminder of the human cost of South Africa’s international commitments — and the importance of finishing those missions with dignity and resolve.We will remember them.
https://www.enca.com/videos/watch-fallen-sandf-soldiers-honoured
