November 14, 2005
By Tshepiso Seopa
AT exactly 2.30pm Harrison Street, in downtown Johannesburg, came to a standstill. Members of the South African National Defence Force, military bands, freedom regiments, military veterans and school children had been parading along the street in honour of all South Africa's fallen heroes.
The parade moves through the streets of Joburg
Remembrance Day was then marked with an interfaith religious service at the Cenotaph on Sunday, 13 November, the closest Sunday to international Armistice Day, observed on 11 November.
To set the tone, the Salvation Army band and choir sang hymns. Then, at 3pm, sentries were posted and all uniformed personnel and civilian men removed their headgear.
Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, assisted by Colonel Reverend BAM Ndwandwe, Immam Cassim Faduke and Pandit Sharma lead the service, reflecting the diversity of South Africa.
On behalf of Johannesburg's Executive Mayor, Councillor Amos Masondo, council Speaker Nandi Mayethula-Khoza read Psalm 23, verses one to six.
Delivering his sermon, the chief rabbi compared the battles soldiers had fought with the battles South Africans are now facing. "We are faced with the battle against HIV and Aids, poverty and high levels of unemployment.
"The struggle is continuing and we need the same courage that the soldiers had when they went to war and battles, the courage that freedom fighters and soldiers had for so many years without giving up hope," Goldstein said.
"The new freedom fighter should continue to fight for building a great country. The struggle is not only about the building of structures but the reconstruction and development of the soul so we can enjoy the fruits of democracy."
In most countries, two minutes of silence are observed to remember fallen soldiers and veterans, and Johannesburg was no exception. The first minute is dedicated to the memory of fallen soldiers and the second in gratitude to the survivors.
Mayethula-Khoza laid a wreath on behalf of the mayor; the junior mayor of Joburg and his deputy also laid a wreath.
Remembrance Day was first observed in memory of those who died in World War One, the Great War. In Johannesburg, as elsewhere, the remembrance service is held on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended that war. It was signed at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
Traditionally a red poppy is worn on Remembrance Sunday in commemoration of the war dead. The symbol was chosen because poppies bloomed in the trenches and on some of the worst battlefields of World War One.
Sue Reddy, the deputy director of communications and marketing in the department of arts, culture and heritage services, says, "Responsibility for leading the service will in future years be rotated in consultation with the South African Council of Churches or relevant religious bodies.
"The interfaith of the religious service will be respected with emphasis on universal values shared by the major religions."
Remembrance events were a collaboration between the City's arts, culture and heritage services department, Region 8 and the regiments and veterans of a number of military and associated services.
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