MEDIA RELEASE 10 November 2006 Combined freedom of entry parade: regiments of the SANDF and reserves There are twelve SA National Defence Force Regiments within the City of Johannesburg area, which have the honour of having the Freedom of the City of Johannesburg bestowed on them. 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. The Transvaal Scottish was the first Regiment to receive the Freedom of the City in 1952. Fifty years later in 2002 the Freedom of the City was granted to the 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment and in 2003 to the Regiment President Kruger. The Chief of the SA National Defence Force, General Godfrey Ngwenya, was therefore delighted when the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Amos Masondo, with the co operation with the Freedom of the City of Johannesburg Regiments Association, invited the Freedom of the City Regiments to exercise their privilege of the Right of Entry to the City during a combined freedom parade of all the Regiments. This right entitles the Regiments to march through the streets of the City with fixed bayonets, drums beating and flags flying in an age old tradition. Leading the Parade will be the massed bands of the Transvaal and South African Irish Regiments. The colours of 21 Battalion, Transvaal Scottish, Rand Light Infantry, South African Irish Regiment and Johannesburg Regiment will be on parade. The marching column will be made up of Officers, Warrant Officers, NCOs and troops from the above Regiments together with the Transvaal Horse Artillery and 6 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, which will have their G6Gun and 23mm anti aircraft gun on parade, representing their colours. Senior SANDF Generals and VIP guests will be in attendance at the parade, at the invitation of the Executive Mayor, whilst the citizens of Johannesburg will be able to view the march past of the Regimental bands, colours, marching column and the guns as they pay respect to Executive Mayoral and City Representative. Ends Rear Admiral (JG) Lukas Bakkes, Chairman of the Freedom of the City of Johannesburg Regiments Association on behalf of the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Issued by: Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za