The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has commended its healthcare professionals for their professionalism, dedication, and compassion during Project OWETHU, an ongoing campaign providing medical services to patients in peripheral areas of Limpopo Province who have long awaited treatment. The initiative underscores the SANDF’s commitment to extending essential healthcare services to underserved communities, aiming to restore dignity, improve quality of life, and strengthen the bond between the Defence Force and the public.
On 13 February 2026, the SANDF’s Surgeon General, Lieutenant General (Dr) Ntshavheni Maphaha, alongside Limpopo’s Member of Executive Council for Health, Ms Dieketseng Mashego, joined military healthcare teams at Elim Hospital in Makhado. There, they conducted critical eye operations, including the successful removal of cataracts for numerous patients who had been waiting for these procedures. The hospital staff praised the initiative for its outstanding results, which recorded eighty-nine successful cases, surpassing the weekly target of seventy-five. Project OWETHU continues at the facility to attend to more patients.
Government officials and local communities expressed profound appreciation for the healthcare professionals’ efforts, recognizing their commitment to addressing prolonged challenges in accessing specialized care. The project highlights the importance of collaboration between national defence healthcare services and provincial government structures in promoting public health and reaffirms the SANDF’s pledge to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of South African citizens.
