Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota officially received the frigate SAS Mendi on behalf of the government at the Port Elizabeth harbour on Tuesday.
The SAS Mendi is the fourth Meko A-200 San frigate built for South Africa by the German arms company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
Lekota said the commissioning of the ship was an important milestone for South Africa.
SAS Mendi was named after the SS Mendi which sank on February 21 1917 during World War I. The ship carried the last contingent of the South African Native Labour Corps from Cape Town to France.
The contingent comprised five white officers, 17 non-commissioned officers and 805 black privates.
Lekota said the commissioning of the ship was a spiritual return of the troops.
He said the SAS Mendi was a symbol of sacrifice, brotherhood and hope.
”The task of the SAS Mendi will be to participate in the maritime defence of our country, the region and the whole continent of Africa.”
The SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, and SAS Spioenkop were the first frigates to be commissioned.
Rear Admiral Robert Higgs said the SAS Amatola and the SAS Isandlwana had already participated in a number of exercises.
”The SAS Amatola participated in the silver jubilee of the Nigerian navy in Lagos. It overshadowed other navies. It captured the hearts of the Nigerian media and was held up as a symbol of success in the continent.”
He said the SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi would soon participate in other exercises.
The 121m frigates are specially adapted to the particular demands of the South African navy and are able to perform a variety of operations including defence, environmental protection, and the safeguarding of fishing and economic zones. – Sapa