A salute to freedom

Troops from the Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment marched through the streets of the city, last Saturday, in a Freedom of the City of Germiston Parade.

They were joined by members of the Witwatersrand Rifles Regimental Association and the SANDF.

The regiment was accorded the Freedom of the City of Germiston on September 12, 1953 and this entitles the regiment to enter the city to march through it with fixed bayonets and a band playing.

The relationship between Germiston and the Witwatersrand Rifles actually dates back to 1951, when the Municipality of Germiston received a letter from the late Cmdt Nicholls, requesting the Freedom of the City.

He also requested that the regiment be accorded the authority to bear the Germiston Coat of Arms on one of its regimental pipe banners.

In his keynote address, at last Saturday’s parade, executive mayor of Ekurhuleni Clr Mondli Gungubele said: “I am aware that our relationship has always been a very strong one, such that, in the past, the regiment regularly provided troops and the band to participate in municipal functions.

“As a city we are quite excited to be associated with a regiment with a history dating back to 1903, when it was established through the amalgamation of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and the Rand Rifles, both of which had fought alongside the British forces during the South African War of 1899.”

Gungubele added that the regiment has a proud history and has participated in various operations in South Africa and other parts of the African continent.

“The City of Ekurhuleni remains proud to be associated with this great regiment and its history,” he said.

“We, therefore, have a responsibility as present and future generations to make sure that this part of our history is not forgotten.

“We must actually make sure that this piece of our heritage is preserved so that future generations begin to understand its importance and relevance going forward.”

The mayor said it was rather unfortunate that the bi-annual Witwatersrand Rifles Freedom of the City of Germiston Parade had been disrupted in the past few years, and that the municipality and the regiment must ensure that they get rid of any obstacles that could derail the event.

“The metro is convinced that, if we continue nurturing this relationship, we can cooperate on a number of situations and programmes,” he said.

“Following from this event I want to encourage all stakeholders to ensure that the partnership between the city and the Regiment works, as such a partnership augurs well for the protection of our people, especially when there are situations that require a high level of community service and security.”

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