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President Cyril Ramaphosa laying a wreath during Armed Forces Day
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is still grappling with the painful legacy of injustice dating back to the 1900s.
Ramaphosa says that black soldiers, including survivors of the tragic sinking of the SS Mendi, were never properly recognised for their bravery and sacrifice during the first World War.
He was delivering the keynote address at the Armed Forces Day celebrations in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.
The annual commemoration honours the 646 servicemen who lost their lives when their troop ship sank in February 1917.
Ramaphosa says the discrimination and unfair treatment of black South Africans at the time deepened divisions in the country.
“Black South Africans volunteered to support the British war efforts, they were denied combat roles, in other ways they were denied bearing arms and to go into war and they were denied equal military status. After the war, they received little recognition compared to white soldiers who came from our country,” adds Ramaphosa.
Video| SANDF Commander-in-Chief Cyril Ramaphosa’s address:
