SA troops cheered by parcels from home

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:31:00 +0000

Like children who cannot wait to open presents on Christmas Day, South African soldiers cheered loudly when a large cargo plane carrying goodwill parcels from home arrived in Burundi on Tuesday.

When the cargo plane flew over the Modderfontein base in Africa's Great Lakes region, the troops spontaneously started singing.

"I don't think the sponsors always know how much these gifts mean to our troops," said Colonel Hein Visser, South African task force commander in Burundi.

He was referring to goodwill parcels brought from South Africa as part of a morale-boosting festive season tour by South African National Defence Force officers.

In addition to the parcels, which consisted of a picnic backpack stocked with glasses and plates, companies also donated sports gear including soccer kit.

"You can see, it's like a holiday here today," Visser said.

The South African Navy & Marine and Coastal Management: SA troops cheered by parcels from home

SA troops cheered by parcels from home