FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-MAST TO HONOUR FALLEN TROOPS

• The South African flag will be flying at half-mast at all South African offices for a week.
• This is to honour the 14 South African National Defence Force troops who died on a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• The order was issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address on 6 February 2025.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations around the country for a period of seven days from today, Friday 7 February 2025.

President Ramaphosa has issued this directive as the country mourns the tragic and devastating loss of 14 South African soldiers who were part of a mission to bring peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In his State of the Nation Address in Cape Town on 6 February 2025, the president said: “Alongside soldiers from other southern African countries, they lost their lives in defence of the fundamental right of the Congolese people to live in peace and security. They lost their lives not in the pursuit of resources or territory or power. They lost their lives so that the guns on our continent may be forever silenced.”

He paid tribute to:

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; and

Private Peter Jacobus Strydom.