Right of freedom of entry exercised with march, parade

Regiment Christiaan Beyers of the South African Army exercised its right of Freedom of Entry to the City of Polokwane on Friday with a march and parade that was characterised by military pomp and ceremony.
Members assembled at the General Joubert Street parking area and marched to a demarcated area in Kerk Street opposite Jack Botes Hall, where Hafiz Shaikh, acting Executive Mayor, Rudzani Maphwanya, General Officer Commanding South African Army Infantry Formation, and Maggie Matshivha, Polokwane acting Municipal Manager, inspected the parade. Some streets sections in the central business district were closed for traffic to allow the unit to march through the streets to drumbeat, flying their colours and with bayonets fixed.
The unit is the only operational military unit within the borders of the city and was granted Freedom of Entry to the City in November 2013. In military tradition the unit commemorates and exercises the right of freedom of entry every two years and the previous event took place in November 2016.
The unit prides itself on its values, being military professionalism, human dignity, mutual respect, patriotism and loyalty.
Shaikh said that residents of Polokwane are delighted to have the regiment as part of the local community and will continue to value the service that it renders to the city and the country as such. “As you are well aware the world today is not yet a secure place and that conflicts may occur anytime and anywhere due to differences of interests. Please be comforted that we in Polokwane are more at peace because we are home to the Regiment Christiaan Beyers in Limpopo. As the only operational unit within the borders of Polokwane Municipality, the unit continues to deliver on their promise to maintain a high standard of discipline as required by South African citizens,” Shaikh said.
“Today, we take the opportunity to acknowledge your heroic deeds in not only keeping our country safe, but by helping to bring stability to our continent as part of the operations that you often engage in outside the borders of the country. This regiment is a true reflection of the servants of the people. It is our belief that the servants of the people put the needs of others first and help people develop,” Shaikh said in encouragement of the assembled soldiers.
“We humbly impress on you not to take this honour of serving the people lightly, but to treasure it,” Shaikh concluded.

Story, video & photos: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com