Military to march in Soweto

Jabulani will resonate to the sound of military drums tomorrow when troops from the Freedom Regiment Association of Johannesburg march through town.
SOLDIERS from the Freedom Regiment Association of Johannesburg (FRA) will march through Jabulani Mall in Soweto tomorrow with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.

Fanfare will mark the parade in SowetoMilitary fanfare will mark the parade in SowetoThe troops will be inspected by the Speaker of council, Constance Bapela, and the parade will take place at 10.30am.

It will be the second military parade in Soweto; the first was held in Orlando East in 2008, when military units and veterans marched down Mooki Street on their way to Orlando Community Hall.

“Johannesburg is proud to have some of the most celebrated regiments of the country. The City’s long and valued association with the regiments has been a most positive one. The City wishes to continue this legacy into the future,” said the deputy director of communications, Nthatisi Modingoane.

About 13 regiments will exercise their freedom of entry status to march through the city, including the Transvaal Scottish, Witwatersrand Rifles, Red Light Infantry, Light Horse Regiment, Transvaal Horse Artillery, SAS Rand, South African Irish, Regiment President Kruger, Johannesburg Regiment, 2 Squadron SA Air Force, 21 SA Battalion, 6 LAA and Area Military Health Unit Gauteng.

All of these regiments fall under the FRA, which was established in July 1986. They had already had the freedom of entry into Johannesburg bestowed on them, but felt they should form an association to maintain the espirit de corps that they had developed, and keep in touch with the elected representatives of the city.

In previous years, the military march has been held in the city centre, ending at the Cenotaph in Harrison Street, at Beyers Naude Square. The parade often takes place a day before Remembrance Sunday, the day set aside worldwide to remember those who have died in war and armed conflict.

In South Africa, Remembrance Sunday also honours those who died in the struggle against apartheid.

The country’s official Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place on Sunday at the Cenotaph, where the ceremony has been held every year since 1926. This year the theme of the day will focus on the families of military veterans.

Executive Mayor Parks Tau will preside over the event, which begins at 2pm. There will be a march comprising approximately 700, made up of military bands and veterans, civilian organisations and the South African Police Service, a faith service and a wreath-laying.