On 21 February 2026, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will commemorate Armed Forces Day in Limpopo’s Vhembe District. The reported price tag of about R370 million has understandably sparked debate.
At a time when the SANDF has raised concerns about budget reductions by National Treasury, many South Africans are asking whether such expenditure is appropriate. Media reports and social media commentary have further fuelled public anxiety, with allegations of shortages of rations and boots for deployed soldiers. It is important to state clearly that these claims remain allegations circulating in sections of the media and online platforms. The SANDF has not officially confirmed the correctness of those reports.
Nevertheless, perception matters. And in the court of public opinion, R370 million is not a small amount. So how should we think about this?
Armed Forces Day Not Just a Parade
It is easy to see Armed Forces Day as a mere ceremonial display with jets overhead, marching units, speeches and salutes. But in a constitutional democracy, it serves deeper purposes.
The SANDF is funded by taxpayers and mandated by the Constitution. Armed Forces Day provides one of the few opportunities for ordinary citizens to see, engage with, and understand their military. It reinforces civilian oversight and public accountability. In a country where trust in institutions is often fragile, visibility of public institutions and their representatives is not a luxury, it is part of democratic responsibility.
This is especially significant in a rural district like Vhembe, where major national events rarely reach such areas. Bringing Armed Forces Day to Limpopo is therefore symbolically powerful as it says national institutions do not belong only to metropolitan centres and the rich.
The Economic Angle Often Overlooked
R370 million sounds like money spent and gone, whereas, in reality, much of it flows into the host economy. Accommodation providers, caterers, transport operators, event staff, local suppliers and small businesses stand to benefit. Temporary jobs are created, and infrastructure is improved. For a province grappling with high unemployment, that injection matters.
If procurement processes prioritise local businesses and SMMEs, as they should, the event becomes more than commemoration, it becomes a short-term economic stimulus for communities that seldom enjoy national-scale investment.
Morale and Institutional Identity
There is also a human dimension against which to look at this. The SANDF operates under pressure, be it financial or operational. Budget constraints are real, whilst operational commitments from peacekeeping to border safeguarding and disaster response at home continue.
In such an environment, morale of troops cannot be ignored. Armed Forces Day is not only for the public; it is also for soldiers in that it affirms their service, sacrifice and identity. Institutions, and military institutions in particular, rely not only on equipment but on cohesion and pride. A defence force weakened in morale is as vulnerable as one weakened in machinery.
The Critical Condition: Priorities Must Be Clear
That said, the justification for R370 million rests on one non-negotiable principle, that operational readiness and soldier welfare must never be compromised.
If credible evidence were to emerge that soldiers are going without essentials while funds are spent on spectacle, public support would definitely evaporate. The SANDF would therefore need to be transparent about expenditure breakdowns and ensure that Armed Forces Day does not divert resources from its core operational needs. Transparency in this regard is not optional; it is the foundation of legitimacy.
A Question of Balance
Undeniably, South Africa faces complex fiscal pressures. Treasury must manage debt, social spending and economic constraints. At the same time, national security responsibilities do not disappear. The real debate, therefore, is not whether Armed Forces Day should exist, it is whether it is structured responsibly, cost-controlled effectively, and aligned with both operational and developmental priorities.
If it strengthens civil-military trust, injects meaningful economic activity into Vhembe, boosts morale without undermining readiness, and is executed with financial discipline, then it can be defended as a strategic investment.
Final Reflection
On 21 February 2026, in Vhembe District, South Africans will see their armed forces on display. The question is not whether soldiers should be honoured, they should be. Maybe in reforming their future posture, celebrating and honouring our soldiers should be synchronised with operational readiness training.
In difficult economic times, symbolism must always walk alongside substance. If that balance is maintained, Armed Forces Day will stand not as extravagance, but as a visible reminder of a democratic nation’s commitment to both its people and those who defend it.
Lt Col (Rtd) Baliwinile Kwankwa (SA Army Int C) writes in his personal capacity
