South Africa Commemorates Remembrance Day with special theme

Johannesburg - South Africans from around the country recalled the dead of wars and conflicts on Remembrance Sunday with the main commemoration being held in Johannesburg at the Cenotaph. Remembrance Day has been held here for 90 years.

This year’s theme, as Digital Journal observed, was dedicated to people from the Indian subcontinent who first arrived in South Africa exactly 150 years ago. Johannesburg’s Deputy Mayor, Parks Tau said:

Each year a different theme has been highlighted for Remembrance Day. The focus for this year falls on the 1860 anniversary marking 150 years of the arrival of Indians in South Africa. The fact that people of Indian origin are celebrating the 150th anniversary of their arrival in this country is something all South Africans should know and participate in. In a similar manner, we should know one another’s history in this country, to understand and appreciate …our many cultures and identities.

Janet Szabo, used with permission. Volunteer organisations march past the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. Like • 3 people liked this

Tau described the formation, during the Anglo-Boer War, of the Indian Ambulance Corps founded by Mohandas Gandhi. Initially, he was a loyal British subject. But later, again as a humanitarian worker, he gave aid to the wounded of the Bambatha Rebellion, a Zulu uprising of 1906. Gandhi was deeply shocked at the brutality meted out to Zulus by the British. Later, Nelson Mandela would say of this incident:

British brutality against the Zulus roused his soul against violence as nothing had done before.

Janet Szabo, used with permission. A horse of the South African Police Service Mounted Unit with a mind of its own! Like • 3 people liked this

This year numerous colourful regiments and regimental associations were represented, including the Transvaal Scottish, the South African Irish Regiment, as well as Regular and Reserve Force elements of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Janet Szabo, used with permission. The South African Irish Regiment's pipes and drums march past. Like • 3 people liked this

The Transvaal Horse Artillery provided a six gun salute which rattled both the windows and the unready. The senior South African officer present was Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Solly Shoke. Other groups represented included the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, SA Red Cross, EMS units and youth volunteer groups.

■ Christopher Szabo The Transvaal Horse Artillery fires a six gun salute which rattled windows in downtown Johannesburg! Like • 3 people liked this

The military attaches of France, the United Kingdom and India laid wreaths.

■ Christopher Szabo Local choirs singing A capella gave a beautiful African flavour to the commemorations. Like • 3 people liked this

Building thunderclouds threatened the event but fortunately waited until after the singing of the National Anthem before dumping their much-needed rain on a parched Gauteng Province.

Janet Szabo, used with permission. Members of the Johannesburg Regimental Association held their flag for photographer Janet Szabo. Like • 3 people liked this

The event was also commemorated at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and on Adderley Street in Cape Town. The Johannesburg event was broadcast live on the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s SAFM channel nationwide and was shown on various channels of SABC Television in the evening news.

■ Christopher Szabo "Gone to flowers, every one". Perhaps the human race will indeed never learn. Poppy wreaths were prominent this year.

Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/300212#ixzz15IbwTBwL