Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, has embarked on a four-day trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where she is visiting South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel deployed in the central African nation. The visit, which started on Wednesday, is part of Motshekga’s ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being of South African soldiers abroad, aligned with her “soldier first” principle. The trip will run through to Saturday, offering a critical opportunity for the minister to assess both the operational conditions and welfare of the SANDF troops serving in the region.
According to Onicca Kwakwa, spokesperson for the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, the main objectives of Motshekga’s visit are to reinforce South Africa’s defence ties with the DRC and strengthen bilateral relations in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation. The minister will also focus on evaluating the conditions under which SANDF personnel operate in the DRC, where they have been deployed as part of South Africa’s peacekeeping efforts in the region. Motshekga’s visit highlights South Africa’s commitment to regional stability and security, underscoring the country’s ongoing role in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The DRC remains a focal point for peacekeeping missions in Africa, with the SANDF playing a pivotal role in supporting international efforts to stabilize the region. Motshekga’s engagement in the DRC is seen as part of South Africa’s broader dedication to promoting peace and security on the continent, particularly through its involvement in MONUSCO. The mission, which has been ongoing for over two decades, aims to stabilize the DRC and support its government in maintaining order amidst ongoing conflicts in the country.
This visit also comes in the wake of tragic events involving SANDF personnel in the DRC. In February of the previous year, the bodies of two SANDF members, Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semonowere, were returned to South Africa after they were killed in a mortar bomb explosion while on deployment in the DRC. The two servicemen, who were part of 1 South African Infantry Battalion, lost their lives at a South African military base in the DRC on February 14, 2023. Their deaths were a somber reminder of the risks faced by South African soldiers serving in peacekeeping missions abroad. The return of their remains was marked by a solemn ceremony at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, where military personnel paid their respects.
Motshekga’s visit comes at a time when the conditions faced by SANDF personnel on peacekeeping missions remain a subject of significant concern, with efforts continuing to improve support for soldiers deployed in high-risk regions like the DRC. The minister’s engagement with troops will undoubtedly be an important step in ensuring their needs are met and that their contributions to regional peacekeeping are properly recognized.
