/ 10 November 1999

PHILIP DECORATES DEFENCE ADVISORS

THE Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, presented peace awards on Wednesday to British defence advisors who are helping integrate former South African freedom fighters into the post-apartheid armed forces. Prince Philip, accompanying the queen on a state visit to South Africa, presented the Wilkinson Sword for Peace to the British Military Advisory and Training Team at the Swartkops military base outside Pretoria. Defence Minister Patrick Lekota praised the team, 15 of whom will remain in South Africa for up to two more years, saying their efforts have been a success and served as proof of the friendship between South Africa and Britain. The ceremony took place while the queen met former president Nelson Mandela.