Ramaphosa addressed the National Defense Force on Friday night.
I am pleased to be joining all the soldiers of South Africa tonight. It is an important evening, not only for you, but for the whole country. I am dressed in a uniform as Commander-in-Chief, in solidarity with you as you enter the most important event ever in the country. This is unprecedented, not only in a democracy, but in the history of our country.
That we have a state of restriction and are fighting a virus. You are expected – as our nation’s pride – to go out and defend our people against the virus.
Your mission is ‘Mission Red Life’.
You are expected to save 57 million South Africans’ lives.
Their fate rests on your shoulders.
We are now at 927 cases and in a few days it could be 1,500. Our task is to limit the spread of the virus. I know you can do it. You are strong and competent and can successfully complete the mission. I command you to do so.
President Ramaphosa while addressing the army
