A book in memory of South African Defence Force (SADF) soldiers who died in the Bush War between 1966 and 1994 will be launched at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Saturday, the trust said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Helaine Joubert, the chairperson of the White Community Mobilisation Group within the Freedom Park Trust, said the event is a tribute to the families of soldiers who died in the war.
”This book will be launched during the function and will become part of the Freedom Park’s archives. Provision and space has also been provided in the book for loved ones to write a message to the fallen soldiers.”
The book is also inscribed with the names of all the soldiers who died.
Joubert said it is not possible, even through research or second-hand experience, to understand the loss or suffering of the families. ”Our objective is therefore not to say that we understand their pain, hardship and loss, but simply to pay tribute to them.”
The trust said it had collected the names of the relevant SADF soldiers and although a comprehensive list was drawn up, contact details for the soldiers’ loved ones proved a dilemma.
Joubert said the few contact details that could be found were outdated. She repeated a call for any relevant family members to contact the trust. ”Although the response to the [initial] call was overwhelming, contact details for quite a number of families remain outstanding.”
Families can call Samantha Swart on Tel: 012 470 7433.
The launch is expected to start at Freedom Park on Salvokop at about 10am on Saturday. — Sapa