November 10, 2006
By Tammy O'Reilly
TO mark Remembrance Day - the signing of the armistice to end World War 1 - 12 regiments will march through the streets of Johannesburg in an unusual parade, fixed bayonets at the ready, and regimental colours aloft.
The regiments have been given, over the years, the Freedom of the City, and this year they will jointly exercise their Right of Entry, by marching through the streets, with fixed bayonets, drums beating and flags flying.
The 12 South African National Defence Force Regiments within the city will be on parade at the Cenotaph on 11 November at 11am, where they will pay their respects to the City's executive mayor and other representatives.
"The Freedom of the City is not granted lightly and is usually only bestowed on those regiments that have a long and illustrious association with the City and in recognition of signal services rendered to the City in particular or the Country in general," according to a press statement.
The first regiment to receive the Freedom of the City was the Transvaal Scottish in 1952. Fifty years later the award was granted to the 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment and in 2003 to the Regiment President Kruger.
Leading the parade on Saturday will be the massed bands of the Transvaal and the South African Irish Regiments. The marching column will be made up of officers, warrant officers, and troops from the 12 regiments and the Transvaal Horse Artillery.
Senior SANDF generals and VIP guests will be in attendance and citizens will also be able to view the parade.
Remembrance Sunday
On Sunday, the City holds the national
Remembrance Day commemoration, also at the Cenotaph. The commemoration service starts at 2pm.
National Remembrance Sunday has been held at the Cenotaph since 1920. In 1996 the City rededicated the memorial to all those who died in all wars and armed conflicts, including the struggle for democracy in South Africa.
Remembrance Day was first observed to recall those who died in World War 1, the Great War. It is held on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the armistice. This truce marked the end of the war, which was generally hoped to be "the war to end all wars". Armistice was signed at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
As part of the day's event, the South African Police Service platoon and band will also parade, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and police chaplain Reverend Gicks Moyane will lead a memorial service.
The day will also serve to remember all police officers killed in the line of duty, as well as all the South African soldiers who died in the service of the country.
According to the City's arts, culture and heritage department, Remembrance Sunday is an event that contributes to unification and nation-building in South Africa. "The service honours all South Africans who made the supreme sacrifice for their country in wars and conflict, including the struggle for democracy."
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