Representatives of the South African Defence Force: Generals and Admirals

Officers and other ranks

Members of the South African Military Veterans Association (SANMVA) and all veterans

Families of those who have fallen in action

Members of the diplomatic and consular corps

Religious leaders

Distinguished guests

Members of the media

Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning, and welcome to you all.

A most special welcome to the families and loved ones of those men and women who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

I am honoured to be here today with you.

Today, we commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.

Every year in November, we gather here to ensure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

We have come so very far since the First World War ended in 1918.

Yet, if we look at the world today, it would appear that in some instances, we have not yet come far enough.

In fact, in some instances it may even seem that we have lost some of those hard-won gains. 

And so it is fitting that every year, perhaps especially at this time as we reflect on the centenary of battles during the First World War, we pause to reflect on the nature of that which we value so highly that we are willing to pay the ultimate price for it.  

I think our Constitution provides an excellent account:

‘The Republic of South Africa is one sovereign, democratic state founded on the following values:

Many people lost their lives over many decades and centuries in many struggles to ensure that these values would one day become universal norms and be entrenched in our Constitution.

In fact, many people throughout the course of human history have fought to shape our world along these values. And that fight is not yet over. 

Fortunately, we have developed better ways of settling disputes and resolving conflict. 

We are no longer obliged to go to war. We have become better at diplomacy, negotiation, and mediation. 

 

We have institutions that were created to safeguard our liberty and rights. 

We can address our grievances in a court of law rather than on a battle field.

And we have these mechanisms and institutions precisely because, at key points in our history, courageous individuals put their lives at risk to ensure that a next generation would not have to.

We owe it to them to be vigilant in protecting our hard-won rights. 

Even more, we owe it to ourselves, and to our children.

And we need to persevere in our efforts to end the conflicts that still ravage certain parts of our continent, and the rest of the world.   

To the men and women here who continue to risk their lives in pursuit of this goal, we salute you.  

Let us uphold the memory, not only of those who fell on the battlefield, but also those who returned, irreparably altered by what they experienced. 

May we all take heart from the spirit of bravery and sacrifice that we commemorate here today.

And may we also take heart from the recent history of our country. 

Many lives were lost when men and women of principle stood up against an unjust system.

Many more could have been lost if those men and women had not decided, after a hard-won struggle, on a path of reconciliation and peace. 

And so, let us commit to upholding their legacy. 

And let us, when we see those values and ideals under threat, stand up with the same conviction and courage to defend what we know is just and right. 

There are veterans here among us who could tell us their stories – of bravery under fire, of having the courage to stand by their convictions, of losing friends and comrades, of sacrificing their personal lives in pursuit of a greater cause.

Let us listen to their stories. Let us remember their courage. Let us ensure that the sacrifices they made were not in vain. 

Today, we honour our fallen and we think of their families and friends.

We salute our veterans.  Thank you for your lifetime of service.

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

God bless you all.

Thank you very much.

End