The 2014 Freedom of Entry to the City of Johannesburg Parade

Transcription

1 The 2014 Freedom of Entry to the City of Johannesburg Parade Article by: Ms R.D. Khashane-Defence Reserves Photographs by:pte J. Mogan,SA Soldier and MOTH Kenneth Scjwartz, MOTH A very successful Freedom of Entry to the City of Johannesburg Parade was held on Saturday 08 November 2014 at Braamfischerville Multi-Purpose Centre. The Township became colourful when the Regimental colours marched past through the streets. The host of the Freedom of Entry Parade is traditionally the Speaker of Council. The Speaker of Council Clr, Conny Bapela, officiated at this year s Freedom Regiments Parade. During her speech, Clr Bapela said, The interaction between Johannesburg and the SANDF units has increased over the years. With the country celebrating 20 Years of Democracy we will again rely on the SANDF to make us proud as a City because in your units you have so much diversity. The Freedom of the City of Johannesburg Regiments Association (FRA) was established as a voluntary association in July The then Regiments which had been granted the Freedom of Entry into the City of Johannesburg exercised this privilege by marching through the streets of the City as part of the Centenary Celebrations of the City of Johannesburg with fixed bayonts, colours flying and drums beating. The Freedom of the Entry to the City of Johannesburg is only granted to Military Regiments that have served the City well in the past and whose members are local citizens. The three Regular and nine Reserve Units/Regiments that currently comprise the membership of the FRA in order of the dates of the Freedom of Entry as conferred by the City Council, are: Transvaal Scottish 13 December 1952 Witwatersrand Rifles 24 April 1954 Rand Light Infantry 27 September 1955 Light Horse Regiment 05 September 1959 Transvaal Horse Artillery 17 March 1963 South African Irish Regiment 19 November 1966 Regiment President Kruger 11 October 1969 Johannesburg Regiment 27 February Squadron SA Air Force 16 March SAI Battalion 24 June 1986 Area Military Health Unit Gauteng 24 April LAA Regiment 31 October 2002 The members who paraded on this year s parade were from 21 SA Infantry Battalion, Transvaal Horse Artillery, Irish Regiment, JHB Regiment, Rand Light Infantry, 2 Squadron (SAAF), 6 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and Regiment President Kruger. SA Army Band Gauteng, Transvaal Scottish and SA Irish pipe bands under the direction of WO Craig played and gave an exceptional performance during the parade. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF)Services and Divisions were invited by the City of Johannesburg to have static displays of various Defence Force hardware and career exhibition for the community and schoolchildren of Braamfischerville which provided an opportunity to enhance the corporate image of the SANDF and focus on the social

2 responsibility programmes in support of government development outcomes. The career exhibitions were aimed at marketing career opportunities and for the SANDF to identify candidates that are willing to serve in the SANDF and who will add value to the organization. The Reserve Force Division formed part of the SANDF exhibition which provided the community with information on Reserve Force matters. The Reserve Force Volunteer magazines, brochures and branded promotional items were given to the public who showed much interest in becoming part of the Reserve Force. After the parade Clr Bapela made a round, visiting the attractive and well positioned SANDF exhibition stalls. She paid a visit to the SANDF Reserve Force stall and was given a warm welcome by Brig Gen S.D. Molefe, Col S. Majombozi and Lt Col M. Shibambo who explained the mandate, role and responsibility of the Reserve Force to the Madam Speaker, who showed interest in becoming a Reserve Force member in the near future. The professionalism, discipline and friendliness of the soldiers who attended the parade had definitely made a positive impact on the community. The community expressed a strong urge to see more of the Defence Force and especially to become involved with youth, by contributing to youth development, establishing high morals, ethics and discipline in amongst the new generation, and thus fostering nation- building. Full Address by Speaker of Council, Clr Conny Bapela during the2014 Freedom of Entry to the City of Johannesburg Parade, Braamfischerville, 08 November 2014 It is an honour for me to represent the City of Johannesburg at this event where we have again confirmed the relationship between the military and the City by allowing the units to execute their right to freedom of the City. The freedom of a City is awarded in acknowledgement of the service that military units have provided to the City and it is not only applicable to the City of Johannesburg, but also to the country at large. These units have served and protected our country on our borders to internal crime prevention operations in support to the SAPS. Several members of all these units have served the country as ambassadors in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and CAR and in Sudan, where they have contributed to bring peace to these countries. It is also well known that peace brings prosperity and this prosperity will flow down to our country as well. Thank you that the City of Johannesburg and the country can always rely on your dedication and commitment. The interaction between Johannesburg and the SANDF units has increased over the years. With the country celebrating 20 Years of Democracy we will again rely on the SANDF to make us proud as a City because in your units you have so much diversity. The Freedom of Entry of The City of Johannesburg was therefore awarded to the units represented here today. You have supported the City during crime prevention operations, disasters and protection of key points and therefore have become an integral part of the City and will continue to be part of the City in the future. On behalf of the City of Johannesburg, I wish you all of the best for the future and may you grow from strength to strength. You may now exercise your given right to march through the City of Johannesburg with colours flying and bands playing. Kindly join me for a walk about and view the displays and career opportunities that are there with the SANDF Departments

3 I thank you The Township became colourful when the Regimental colours marched past through the streets. Speaker of Council, Clr Conny Bapela inspecting the parade, accompanied by Maj Gen Yam.

4 Members from the Transvaal Scottish Pipe Band Members of the community enjoying military music provided by the members of SA Irish Pipe Band.

5 Speaker of Council, Clr Conny Bapela delivering her speech Brig Gen S.D. Molefe and Lt Col P.D. Shibambo briefing the Speaker of Council, Clr Conny Bapela about the Reserve Force Service System.