By 
The 14 fallen troops of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) received a hero’s welcome as their mortal bodies arrived at the Swartkop Air Force Base in Centurion, Pretoria on 13 February 2025.
The South African President H.E Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the brave troops of South Africa who died protecting the citizens of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The soldiers died in the line of duty fighting for one of the ideals of the African Union’s 2063 agenda, that of security and peace in the continent.
The fallen troops were given a prestigious memorial service and hand-over ceremony attended by their loved ones. Ramaphosa, during his address extended his condolences to the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Malawi for the loss of their soldiers.
Ramaphosa also re-affirmed South Africa’s commitment in fighting to silence the guns in the continent working alongside the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission.
“As a troop contributing country to the SADC Mission in the DRC and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa remains firmly committed to supporting all processes to bring this terrible conflict to an end.
We are encouraged by the outcomes of last week’s joint summit of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community, which resolved to prioritise a political solution to the crisis in the eastern DRC. South Africa reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, for a cessation of hostilities and for all the warring parties to resume inclusive negotiations,” said the President.
Turning back home, Cyril Ramaphosa solemnly extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the SANDF troops and honoured them as those fought and defended the defenceless.
“On behalf of all the people of South Africa, I offer my profound and deepest sympathies to the families of our fallen soldiers. They lost their lives in the name of duty, in pursuit of peace and in the cause of silencing the guns across our beloved continent Africa.
They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless. Indeed, the SANDF is for the brave, for the proud. We have fulfilled our duty to bring our soldiers home. We must fulfil our duty to complete their mission. I thank the Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the SANDF for making every effort to repatriate the remains of our fallen troops to their families,” said Ramaphosa.
“Our thanks go to the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community and other governments for their assistance. This was an operation involving considerable logistical challenges at a time when the security situation in the eastern DRC remains volatile.
This solemn occasion is a stark reminder of the great cost of building peace, often paid in the lives of our finest. And yet peace is an ideal for which we will forever strive,” he continued.
In honour of their memory, the President mentioned the names of the sons of the soil, the heroes so that their names may echo into eternity.
The fallen heroes are:
Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola
Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi
Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe
Corporal Matome Justice Malesa
Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani
Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo
Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo
Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi
Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe
Rifleman Derrick Maluleke
Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele
Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi
Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe
Private Peter Jacobus Strydom
