SANDF Women’s Day parade in Bloemfontein

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The bus crash that claimed the lives of 11 SA National Defence Force (SANDF) female personnel on August 19 will be commemorated tomorrow as part of a belated annual defence force Women’s Day parade.

Originally scheduled to be held at Thaba Tshwane on August 31 with the Department of Defence’s Logistic Support Formation hosting it, the parade was postponed after the bus crash near the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in Free State. Those killed were all from the SANDF mobilisation centre at De Brug outside Bloemfontein and were ern route to a Women’s Day event in the national park when the crash happened.

Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will be at the Tempe Stadium in Bloemfontein to pay her respects to those killed in the August bus crash and also pay tribute to all fallen women soldiers her office said in a statement.
“The 2016 Women’s Day parade will not only celebrate the bravery and dedication of women serving in the SANDF. It will also be a special tribute to female soldiers who have died in the line of duty.
“We will always salute their bravery and in expressing sincere condolences and support to their families invitations have been extended to family members of those killed in the bus accident,” the Minister’s statement said adding “all soldiers who died while in service should never be forgotten”.

The Tempe parade will be an all-women one in a battalion in review formation.
 

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