SS Mendi remembered on Armed Forces Day

South Africa commemorates Armed Forces Day

South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa officiates Armed Forces Day as Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), on February 21, 2026 in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.  Reportedly, Armed Forces Day is observed annually on February 21 to commemorate the sinking of the SS Mendi on February 21, 1917. The sinking of the SS Mendi remains one of the greatest tragedies of South Africa of the First World War (1914 to 1918). It is a …

South Africa observes Armed Forces Day

President Cyril Ramaphosa will officiate the Armed Forces Day commemoration in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday . The event marks the annual observance of the sinking of the SS Mendi on 21 February 1917, one of South Africa’s greatest military tragedies . On that day, 616 South African troops lost their lives when the troopship sank in the English Channel en route to France during World War I . The commemoration honours the sacrifice of the Sou…

SS Mendi remembered on Armed Forces Day

SS Mendi remembered on Armed Forces Day Siya Tsewu Sat, 02/21/2026 - 10:06 THOHOYANDOU – Exactly 109 years ago the SS Mendi sank in the English Channel with over 600 South African soldiers on board, and today they are being remembered as the country commemorates Armed Forces Day in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.It was on this day in 1917 that 616 South African troops died when the Liverpool registered steamship they were traveling in sank just 20 minute…