Representatives of the South African Defence Force: Generals and Admirals

Members of the South African Military Veterans Association (SANMVA)

Religious leaders

Distinguished guests

Members of the media

Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning, and welcome.

I would like to extend a special word of welcome to the families and loved ones of those men and women who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

I am honoured, as always, to commemorate this day with you.  On this, the 11th day of the 11th month, at 11 0’clock, we join the rest of the world in commemorating the bravery of those who fought, lived through, and died during the First World War, and all subsequent wars.

Today, this commemoration is particularly significant. It marks the centenary of the signing of the Armistice that brought an end to a horrific, cataclysmic war.

This historic event marked the end of four brutal years that claimed the lives of between 15 and 19 million people – an estimated 7 million civilians, and 10 million military personnel.

The soldiers who died on the battlefields and in the field hospitals came from all corners of the world. They represented a diverse array of nationalities, races and religions.

And it was not only men who heeded the call of duty. The First World War saw an unprecedented mobilisation of women on all sides. Many of them were drafted into the civilian workforce, to take the place of conscripted men, and thousands served in military support roles, with some taking an active role on the battlefields. Accounts of these women have not always enjoyed the same prominence as those of the men who took part in the war, but we are gradually beginning to see greater recognition and appreciation of the role they played.

The same can be said for the thousands of black soldiers who participated in the war. Many of them were volunteers, from the Caribbean and Africa, and African Americans from the United States. It is estimated that around 80 000 black South Africans, 120 000 from the rest of Africa, and over 350 000 African Americans served in the war.

400 000 Muslim, 100 000 Sikh and up to 800 000 Hindu soldiers from present-day Pakistan, India and Bangladesh also joined the war effort.

However, images and footage from the First World War do not often include people of colour, creating the mistaken impression that they were not involved in or affected by the conflict.

Like the women who served during the war, they also had to battle prejudice and the subsequent erasure of their contribution. Today, we can ensure that their place in history is recognised.

This centenary commemoration is an opportunity for us to remember and honour all who fought, and all who gave their lives, not only in the First World War, but also in all subsequent wars and conflicts.

It offers us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices that were made, and to be thankful for the freedom we enjoy today.

It also serves as a reminder of the values and ideals that unite us; that transcend race, religion and nationality.

Let us take a moment to consider the men and women who are serving in the armed forces today, and who stand ready to defend those values and ideals, and our hard-won freedom.

Let us hope that, even though they stand ready, they will never be called upon to take up arms on such a scale again. For what does it say about us if we do not take the lessons of the past to heart, and ensure that we do not repeat our mistakes?

We know that the universal values of freedom, peace, social progress, equal rights and human dignity are not won in a single decisive battle. They must be constantly reinforced, and are vulnerable to attack if we do not remain constantly vigilant.

We have made many gains since 1918, but we have also lost some ground. In a world that is becoming simultaneously more globalised and more polarised, we are increasingly seeing a clash of values and beliefs.

As we come closer together, we are more affected by each other’s actions, but this does not mean that we share equally in the benefits and the burdens of our society. Disparities in wealth and power make a mockery of the universal values we claim to adhere to.

It also creates a breeding ground for those who would sow dissent, and fan the flames of anger and violence. We must do all we can to defeat these efforts. But at the same time, we must acknowledge what still needs to be done to address disparities, and we must continually dedicate ourselves to this task.

We can remain dedicated by remembering the sacrifices of those who took up arms to fight for a better world.  If we do not continue the work they started, their efforts will have been in vain.

Let us take heart as we remember them, and allow their bravery and dedication to guide us in times of fear and uncertainty.

Let us ensure that their sacrifice for a better world was not in vain.

Today, we honour those who served, as well as those who were affected by conflict, both on the battlefield and at home.

We acknowledge their families and loved ones.

We salute our veterans.

And we pay tribute to our men and women in uniform who have sworn to uphold the values we hold dear.

May we all join them in safeguarding these values?

Thank you very much.

End