Armed Forces Day thrills Limpopo residents

Limpopo residents descended on South African National Defence Force (SANDF)’s fan park at Polokwane Cricket grounds in their droves from Friday to explore and learn more about SANDF and its services during the week long Armed Forces Day activities.
Visitors enjoyed an air show, static display of military equipment and arena events including South African Army parachutists landing in the arena, precision drills, motorcycle stunts, bridge laying, gun runs and mini-war demonstrations.
Graduates were given an opportunity to complete and submit application forms for the military’s 2021 intake during the recruitment drive for the Military Skills Development System held at the venue.

Other activities of the event were the 5 km and 10 km fun walk and run as well as an inter-faith service held at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Hall in Seshego on Sunday.
Monday saw SANDF members participating in a capability demonstration at the Roodewal Bomb Range and a concert featuring military music at Ngoako Ramatlhodi Hall.
The event will culminate with the Armed Forces Day celebrations set to be held in Suid Street on Friday (tomorrow). State President and Commander-in-Chief of the SANDF, Cyril Ramaphosa is expected officiate at his third Armed Forces Parade. Ramaphosa is further expected to lay a wreath in honour of the 607 men, most of them black South African troops, who died aboard the SS Mendi in 1917.
“The Armed Forces Day Parade starts at 9:00 for 10:00 at Suid Street, Polo­kwane. All Arms-of-Service of the SANDF are expected to take salute from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. As part of the day`s programme, there will be a national and SANDF flags fly-past. Various landward, air and sea elements will be on display during the parade. The event honours men and women in the hub of the profession of arms who lost their valuable lives in line of duty as well as current serving members,” according to Thabo Sello from Department of Defence.

Lindile Yam, SANDF Chief of Staff said the event gave the people of Limpopo an opportunity to get in touch with the military. “This year, the SA National Defence Force has stayed true to its promise and is here with its full complement of capabilities including land, air, maritime and military healthcare service to honour its commitment to the great people of this province. Military is a country on its own and we wanted people to know about that,” Yam said before announcing that the event would be held in Mpumalanga next year.
Dickson Masemola, MEC for Transport and Community Safety said the event boosted the economy of the province. “There were lot transactions during the event. Also I did not have to worry much about the safety of our people in the city because there was a strong presence of members of the SANDF everywhere,” Masemola said.
Tsolane Lekalakala, Director Human Resource Acquisition, Department of Defence said they were happy to see young people submit application forms for the military’s 2021 intake programme. “They came in numbers and we can assure them that we will take a certain percentage from Limpopo.”
Matome Lekhurane from Zebediela thanked SANDF for bringing the event to Limpopo. “It was informative. I thought the SANDF was about soldiers and war but I found that there are so many careers within the military services and I think young people will make use of them.”

Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com