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On Wednesday, 2 September 2015 the Air Defence Artillery Formation will be holding their 75 years celebration in Kimberley. This will take place in the vicinity of the Honoured Dead Memorial/Oliver Road. This march past/parade of Military equipment and soldiers starts at 10 o’clock and proceeds up Oliver Road.
Taking part will be Regular and Reserve Force Units of the Air Defence Artillery totalling approximately 480 soldiers. The military equipment that can be seen will total approximately 100 and will include military vehicles and equipment from old guns – from the 40 mm Bofors to the more recent 35 mm guns.
This is not something that seen very often so if you have time to attend please feel welcome to participate in these celebrations. Get there early to avoid traffic problems.
Update from Sol Plaatje – “This is to inform you that the Air Defence Artillery will be celebrating its centenary with a military parade in Kimberley on 02 September 2015.
Oliver Road will be closed to vehicular traffic between Mac Dougal Street and the Memorial Road circle. The exact time of the road closure, I will communicate to you tomorrow morning as I have to finalise the details with the defence force. Furthermore there will be trafficdisruptions in the city centre as the motorised parade moves through the city towards Pescodia and Galeshewe.
I will plan the route in such a way that there is minimal disruption to the traffic flow.”
From DFA 01/09/2015
General Officer Commanding SA Army Air Defence Artillery, Brigadier-General Sandile Hlongwa, said yesterday that about 800 troops would take part in the planned parade.
Hlongwa said a podium would be set up in Oliver Road, where the main event is due to take place.
“Oliver Road, from MacDougal Street to the Honoured Dead Memorial, will be closed from 8am until 11am. A podium, where the various dignitaries will be seated, will be set up in the street. A guard of honour and vehicles will form in Oliver Road, adjacent to the Diamond Pavilion Mall,” he said.
Various defence force vehicles will also form part of the parade.
“Mechanised columns (vehicles) will join the marching columns (troops) and will proceed past the podium in the direction of the circle at the Honoured Dead Memorial. A parade will be presented at the monument.”
“Several streets will be closed. The march will then proceed through town and the traffic department will escort the parade and close roads as the parade progresses. The mechanised columns and the marching columns will split in Dalham Road, opposite Kimberley Boys’ High School. The mechanised column will then proceed through town to Roodepan, Lerato Park and Galeshewe through Seleke Street and pass the Tswelopele Correctional Centre, before heading back to town,” Hlongwa said.
He said that among the guests attending the celebrations will be the 16 Royal Artillery Regiment from the United Kingdom, who will arrive in Kimberley today.
City residents had their first taste of the road closures yesterday morning as the participants took to the streets to practice. Oliver Road was closed to unsuspecting motorists for most of the morning.
Municipal spokesman, Sello Matsie, urged motorists to exercise caution and patience during the celebrations.
Army to invade city . . . again
BENIDA PHILLIPS STAFF REPORTER
DFA
Sep 1 2015
SEVERAL roads in the city will be closed tomorrow as the Air Defence Artillery takes to the streets in a massive parade to celebrate its centenary. General Officer Commanding SA Army Air Defence Artillery, Brigadier-General Sandile Hlongwa, said…read more…©1999-2015 Independent Online. All rights strictly reserved.
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02/09/2015 10:00
02/09/2015 12:00
