The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has hailed its military healthcare professionals for their professionalism, dedication, and compassion in delivering life-changing medical services to patients in remote parts of Limpopo through Project Owethu, including restoring sight to those with cataracts.
In a statement, the Department of Defence said Project Owethu is the SANDF’s humanitarian healthcare initiative aimed at extending essential medical services to underserved communities across South Africa.
The programme seeks to restore dignity, improve the quality of life, and strengthen the bond between the Defence Force and the communities it serves.
On Friday 13 February, the Surgeon General of the SANDF, Lieutenant General (Dr) Ntshavheni Maphaha, alongside Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego, joined military healthcare teams at Elim Hospital in Makhado. The team performed critical eye surgeries, successfully removing cataracts for patients, who had endured long waiting periods for specialised procedures.
“This remarkable initiative, commended by hospital staff for its impressive results, has recorded a total of 89 successful cases, surpassing the weekly target of 75 cases… Project Owethu continues at the facility to ensure that even more patients can be attended to,” the department said.
Government leaders and communities in the province have also expressed their appreciation to the healthcare professionals in serving patients who have endured prolonged challenges in accessing specialised care
Project Owethu underscores the importance of collaboration between national defence healthcare services and provincial health authorities, reaffirming the SANDF’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to public health and the well-being of citizens, the SANDF said.
The project visited Sekhukhune District (Mashoanyaneng Village) from 26 – 30 January 2026. It was in Waterberg District (Ga-Matlou) from 2 – 6 February. Project Owethu also served the community in Vhembe District (Basani Village) from 9 – 13 February.
During the Project Owethu official launch on 17 February, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga said the SAMHS restored the eyesight of 116 elderly individuals at Elim Hospital in Vhembe district.
The Minister highlighted that from 6 to 16 February, 116 patients underwent cataract surgeries. Of these, some elderly individuals who could not see regained their eyesight, including Ms Nyanisi Chauke, who had struggled with blindness for five years.
During the launch, the SANDF Spouse Forum partnered with Project Owethu and provided humanitarian aid to the communities affected by the recent floods. The Minister further revealed that a total of 51 900 people have already benefited from Project Owethu across various provinces.
