Community members lined the streets of Mbombela, Mpumalanga, to watch a parade by armed forces as they celebrated Armed Forces Day, leaving them in awe.
The parade on Monday showcased the work and different units of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), their firearms and vehicles.
Samora Machel Drive and the R40 were among the roads closed to traffic.
President Cyril Ramaphosa started by laying wreaths at the Barberton army base.
He praised the armed forces for keeping SA and other countries safe. He said he was “a proud commander-in-chief”.
“The SANDF is the first and last line of our defence. When our country was engulfed with devastating unrest last year, the South African Defence Force was there, even when our parliament was burnt early this year. [The defence force] works alongside other nations.
“These brave men and women are there to prevent spill over of conflicts in our neighbouring countries,” said Ramaphosa.
He said since 2001, members of the SANDF have been part of the UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“All these moments of danger for our country, for our neighbours, the SANDF is there and will continue to be there. Anything that endangers the lives of our people the SANDF will be there and will always be there.”
He also acknowledged the role the SANDF played in cleaning the contaminated Vaal river.
“According to our constitution, the primary objective of the armed forces is to defend its people. On this Armed Forces Day, we remember South Africans who perished during the sinking of the SS Mendi on the English Channel [south of the Isle of Wight] on 21 February 1917.
“We honour all the men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty at home and outside the country. Today we pay special honour to Corporal Tebogo Radebe who was killed in Cabo Delgado [province in Mozambique] as part of the SADC [Southern African Development Community] region mission [to fight militants]," said Ramaphosa.
He paid homage to Radebe's family and other soldiers who died in the line of duty.
“We also pay homage to soldiers from other countries killed in Cabo Delgado. We also pay homage to other soldiers who perished in DRC.”
Community member Lucky Themba said: “I didn't know that have these kind of weapons, fighter jets which we see on TV. I'm proud now that the army can indeed protect us as the president assured us.”
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