Pretoria - Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on Thursday thanked the thousands of soldiers who provided assistance at hospitals around the country during the three-week long public servants' strike.
"Today we stand proud that the SANDF (South African National Defence Force) has done a sterling job as a Force ever ready, to respond to the call of our nation where need arises," she said of the over 4700 soldiers deployed in 73 hospitals.
The soldiers, who included medical practitioners and those from the army, ensured that all emergencies at affected hospitals were attended to and were at some instances required to feed chronic patients.
Several newspapers were also littered with letters from members of the public in the past two weeks thanking the men and women in camouflage for their work.
Sisulu said: "We take this opportunity to thank all the young men and women of the SANDF, doctors and nurses of our medical services, and other skilled professionals of our armed forces, who have discharged their responsibilities with commitment, discipline and precision known only in the SANDF".
South Africans were able to go to work and schools knowing that the SANDF was on alert and ready to protect and defend all citizens.
On behalf of government, Sisulu urged the soldiers to continue "to make us proud" during difficult times.
