The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will participate in Nelson Mandela Month celebratory activities in Mthatha, Eastern Cape province over the period 29 to 30 July 2011, in honour of former President Nelson Mandela on his 93rd birthday. Various activities, including a freedom of entry parade, static display of SANDF equipment and an air capability display. The SANDF is honouring the former president as he was its first Commander-in-Chief.
Amongst other activities the SANDF has already participated in include painting a community hall, cleaning of Mthatha city centre, donating gifts to the Efata School for the blind, disabled and deaf.
The celebrations will be concluded by a military parade by 14 South African Infantry Battalion (14 SAI) which will mark freedom of entry to Mthatha on 30 July 2011 in which the Mayor of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality will officiate. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans will also attend the activities scheduled for 30 July 2011.
You are cordially invited to send a journalist and/or a photographer to cover the event. Reporters who are assigned for the event should provide their full names, Republic of South Africa (RSA) identity documents number and contact details for a one day trip to Mthatha. They are requested to report Air Force Base Waterkloof on 30 July 2011 at 07h00. Time for departure from Mthatha airport is 15h00.
Kindly direct your RSVP to Major Hezekiel Cele before 15h00 on 27 February 2010. Take note of the fact that seats on the aircraft are limited and thus offered on a first-come-first-serve-basis.
Enquiries:
Brigadier General Marthie Visser
Tel: 012 355 6302
Cell: 082 459 1893
RSVP:
Major Hezekiel Cele
Tel: 012 355 6388
Cell: 072 652 8084
