Durban Plays Host to Armed Forces Day on Centenary of SA’s Worst Naval Tragedy
Durban is playing host to South African National Defence Force (SANDF) military celebrations and aerial displays leading up to Armed Forces Day on Tuesday 21 February, which will this year commemorate 100 years since the sinking of the SS Mendi in the English Channel, which remains South Africa’s worst naval tragedy. Armed Forces Day was initiated in 2012 to […]
Durban is playing host to South African National Defence Force (SANDF) military celebrations and aerial displays leading up to Armed Forces Day on Tuesday 21 February, which will this year commemorate 100 years since the sinking of the SS Mendi in the English Channel, which remains South Africa’s worst naval tragedy.
Armed Forces Day was initiated in 2012 to commemorate the troopship which was rammed by the SS Darro off St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight on 21 February 2017.
With the loss of 628 members of the then SA Native Labour Corps, it remains South Africa’s worst naval tragedy… and will this year be commemorated in the English Channel as well.
In Durban, an estimated 5,000 SANDF personnel will participate in Armed Forces Day celebrations.
Residents and visitors to Durban are able to explore a military exhibition which opened on Thursday, and will remain open till 21 February, at the Durban Old Drive-In.
Navy ships are opened to the public at Durban Harbour this weekend and a gala music concert is expected to take place this evening at the Durban City Hall.
There is a fun walk planned for Sunday at the beachfront which will start at 06:00 from near the Blue Waters Hotel. On Monday and Tuesday, there will be armed forces night fire displays.
The highlight of the armed forces ceremony will be 21 February when President and Commander-In-Chief Jacob Zuma officiates over the Armed Forces Day parade, which will start at 10:00 in the morning near Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Sadly, on Friday three soldiers were involved in a tragedy in Durban when they died in a bid to save three Public Works staff members at a sewer pit at the Naval Base. The workers were struggling to breathe underground. All six were allegedly poisoned by toxic fumes from a gas leak.
President Zuma expressed deep sadness and said: “We are devastated by the deaths of these hard working soldiers and their colleagues. It is really tragic for all of them to lose their lives in this manner. This is a most painful and traumatic time for all the families and for all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this difficult and painful time.”