By Tshepiso Mogotsi
SOUTH AFRICA'S fallen soldiers, from wars across time and across continents, will be remembered on Sunday during a service held by the City of Johannesburg at the Cenotaph in Harrison Street.
Representatives of the South African National Defence Force, veterans of the underground armies of Umkhonto weSizwe and the Azanian People's Liberation Army, and government officials will take part in the solemn occasion. Representatives from foreign missions will also attend the ceremony.
Members of the South African National Military Veterans Association, formed last month to represent veterans at any national event, will also attend.
The service, from 2pm to 5pm, will involve laying wreaths at the base of the monument. The laying of wreaths is a ceremony that takes place around the world on Remembrance Day, 11 November, which is linked to the hour, the day and the month the guns fell silent at the end of WW1.
Reverend Carol Jack, former soldier in the ANC's army, Umkhonto weSizwe, will lead the service. About 60 wreaths will be placed at the Cenotaph in memory of the fallen soldiers through all the ages and theatres of war.
In preparation for Sunday's occasion, much work cleaning and repairing has been done on the Cenotaph, with layers of city grime and soot being removed and the granite stonework restored to its original state.
"Remembrance Sunday services have been held in Johannesburg for more than 80 years," said deputy director of heritage for the City Eric Itzkin.
Last year additions were made to the inscription on the Cenotaph honouring the fallen heroes of Johannesburg. The plaque now reads: "The City of Johannesburg honours those who paid the supreme sacrifice in all wars, battles and the armed struggle for freedom, democracy and peace in South Africa."
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