Fallen SANDF soldiers brought home from DRC
Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono lost their lives when a bomb landed on their military base.
The remains of two South African National Defence Force(SANDF) soldiers are back on home soil.
Captain Simon Mkhulu Bobe and Lance Corporal Irven Thabang Semono lost their lives when a bomb landed on their military base. Three other soldiers were injured in the incident.
They were deployed on a mission as part of the Southern African Development Community in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
BRING PEACE TO THE DRC
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Defense Minister Thandi Modise, speaking to the SABC, says the mission is to bring peace and stability to the region. To allow Congolese citizens a shot at a normal life and for expats to return home should they wish to do so.
She says due to the DRC being home to 26 of the 28 most important minerals in the world, the conflict won’t end soon.
“Our role is to try and create space for the different people in the DRC. To come together, to find peace peace amongst themselves. You cannot find peace if you are at each other’s throats”, says Modise.
“Our role is more a bit of about stabilizing and creating conditions where people can go back home. Where children can go back to school and where woman can farm the farm lands for the foods that they need.”
“Where the DRC people all over the world can go back home again and say we are home. That is more important for any body who has been in a war torn than anything else. To touch the soil of your forefathers and to own your own name” she concluded.