Group number 5 of SANDF soldiers back in SA after DRC deployment! The fifth group of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops has arrived in the country from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The 258 soldiers landed in Bloemfontein on Friday morning.
SANDF soldiers back in SA
They had been in North Kivu since December 2023 for a Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission deployment in the DRC.
Their withdrawal comes after a ceasefire agreement was brokered between the rebel group, M23, and the DRC military.
SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala said that more soldiers were expected to return in the coming days.
“The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirms the safe arrival of the fifth group of 258 members at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein this morning, Friday, 20 June 2025.”
In other news – Zakes Bantwini graduates from Harvard Business School
Grammy Award-winning artist Zakes Bantwini, whose real name is Zakhele Madida, has added another remarkable achievement to his name — graduating from the prestigious Harvard Business School in the United States.
Known for chart-topping hits like Osama, Imali, and Clap Your Hands, Zakes has proven he’s not only a force in music but also in business. Zakes completed an executive education programme focused on the business of entertainment, media, and sport. Read More
