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Bay to host biggest military showcase SASHIKA PILLAY
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housands of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members including SANDF commander-in-chief President Jacob Zuma will be in Nelson Mandela Bay for the fourth annual Armed Forces Week which takes place next week. As part of Armed Forces Week, there will be various events leading up to Armed Forces Day which is celebrated on February 21. This year, the events have been planned by the South African Navy and will provide a range of Navy platforms open to the public. Armed Forces Week also commemorates the day of the country’s single largest naval disaster, the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi on February 21, 1917. The ship was rammed by the SS Darro and 616
members of the SA informing the youth Native Labour Corps about careers in the “This will be the biggest died. SANDF and the remilitary demonstration the quirements. We will SANDF Spokesperson Brigadier General country has seen since the also visit nearby townXolani Mabanga said ships and interact dawn of democracy. Armed Forces Day is a with the communiday of honour. COMMANDER GREYLING VAN DEN BERG ty,”Mabanga said. “Armed Forces Day There will be seven is new. It started in warships and one sub2012 as a day where we honour the SANDF and marine available for the public to view at the think of those who have lost their lives. We also Port Elizabeth harbour on February 13 and 14. acknowledge those in the SANDF who have exThere will also be fan parks at Kings Beach celled. from February 17 to 21 where there will be a “We are excited about this year’s events be- large display of military equipment. cause it will be the first time that the SA navy The main parade held on February 21, will inwill be showcasing their capabilities. The clude a flypast by the SA Air Force and various events were previously conducted inland but elements of the SA Military Health Service takthis is the first time it will be coastal. ing part in the parade. “We also have sporting activities, community There will be a three-day rehearsal leading up projects and career exhibitions where we will be to the main parade where a military march will
be held at the beach front. Navy Spokesperson Commander Greyling van den Berg said they chose to have the event in the Bay because the navy was not as wellknown in Port Elizabeth as it was in Cape Town. He added that the military exercise as part of Armed Forces Week would be one of the most unforgettable experiences and it was all free of charge. “This will be the biggest military demonstration the country has seen since the dawn of democracy. “There will be the firing of the weapons from helicopters. On February 18, we will have a night firing exercise close to the Summerstrand pier. “We will have warships and there will also be the fleet replenishment vessel SAS Drakensberg, which is currently the largest ship built for the SA Navy with a displacement of 12 500 tons and a length of 147 metres.” (See p6 & p7)
Bring water ‘seblief’ <SuidAfrika word geknel deur een van die ergste droogtes nog. Elke druppel water is kosbaar en droogtehulpprojekte bring verligting. Feesgangers wat vanjaar by Anibrand ’n draai maak word versoek om water saam te neem wat aan droogtegeteisterde areas geskenk sal word. Daar sal ook niebederfbare kosse ingesamel word vir behoeftiges in die Uitenhageomgewing. Hier koel Burton Botha, Sebastian Janse van Rensburg en Zander Lourens af in die swembad teen die versengende hitte en wys van die waterbottels wat reeds ingesamel is. (Lees ook p.7) FOTO:KAREN PIENAAR
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