LIMPOPO – Hoedspruit Air Force Base (AFB) received the “freedom of entry” from Maruleng Municipality on Saturday, October 26 in the village of Calais.

Freedom of a town or city is regarded as an honorary award to men, women or institutions of note who have lived or worked in the town or city and are proud to be a part of the town’s history.

During proceedings on Saturday, Maruleng Municipality Mayor Tsheko Musolwa said that the day marked a significant milestone for the base. He referred to the origin of the custom when Julius Caesar allowed armed and loyal soldiers to enter Rome to protect the city in a coup.

“In a South African context, it is meant to welcome back soldiers who are returning from war and reincorporate them into society. In this context, we wanted to symbolise that soldiers have the right to engage and interact with the public and ensure it addresses any lack of trust that may be prevalent,” said the mayor.

He told the Herald that generally soldiers are associated with war. “Bestowing the “freedom of entry” on the AFB is our way of recognising the part they play in the community and impart it to others,” Musolwa said. Building up to the event, a career exhibition on the AFB’s functions and opportunities, bursaries and recruitment was hosted.

He said Calais was chosen to host the event to signal a move away from the traditional expectation of linking it to a specific city or town, which in Maruleng’s case would be the town of Hoedspruit.

AFB’s Major General Victor Tshunungwa said during the event that it is important to maintain a strong relationship with the civilian community.

He said events such as these reinforce the role they play in the area.

“It is very important that we make sure that we work together with the communities around us. Now, when you see a person in uniform, you would know who they are and where they serve,” he told the Herald.

Both Musolwa and Tshunungwa said that the interaction has led to a better understanding between the two institutions.