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Tshwane executive mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa has been honoured by the SA Military Health Services (SAMHS).

Ramokgopa was yesterday appointed as Honorary Colonel of 6 Medical Battalion Group of the Reserve Force Battalion of the SAMHS.

Her appointment was marked by a parade in her honour at Church Square and City Hall.

Ramokgopa, who was involved in the ANC’s armed wing Umkhonto we Sizwe, is the first executive mayor to be appointed as an honorary colonel in the SAMHS, as well as the first honorary colonel for the 6 Medical Battalion Group.

She is also the first honorary colonel to be appointed in the Reserve Force unit.

Other honorary appointments have been made only in the Regular Forces.

Other politicians who are honorary colonels in different units of the SAMHS are Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial chairman Dr Zweli Mkhize and Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto.

Ramokgopa said she was honoured by the appointment and was looking forward to making a contribution to the SAMHS.

“I accepted this honour, being fully aware that there are many people in the country who are more befitting of it,” Ramokgopa said.

She lauded the SANDF for its positive work in the country and on the continent.

“The force was very instrumental during last year’s public service strike when hospitals were hugely affected.

“They also preformed their duties well when they supported the police during the recent xenophobic attacks that had rocked the country.

“They fully carried out their duty of maintaining peace in the country,” Ramokgopa said.

SANDF Surgeon-General Vijay Ramlakan said one of the reasons they chose Ramokgopa for the appointment was because she was a health-care worker and a medical doctor.

He said as a woman, Ramokgopa had eloquently and elegantly championed the cause of women over the years.