Since 2012 South Africans have celebrated Armed Forces Day on February 21 each year, and in 2017 the celebration of our men and women in uniform will take place in Durban.
Armed Forces Day (AFD) is a day on which we honour the members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) by showing our support and gratitude to them for upholding the constitution, defending our territorial integrity and protecting our people.
As the main functionary, President Zuma will receive the salute from the SANDF during the military parade for the sixth time this year.
The Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke has authorised the hosting of the AFD celebration and the centenary commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi to be held concurrently on Tuesday, February 21 at Moses Mabhida Stadium and the English Channel in England where the ship sank.
The proceedings are scheduled to commence at 10am.
The wreath laying ceremony will be followed by a medal parade where the President will bestow various military medals to deserving SANDF members as well as a 40 Years Service medal to the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke.
Mechanized columns of various military vehicles started arriving in Durban on Valentine’s Day for the commemoration.
A fan park will be open to public from tomorrow (February 16) until February 21 and will provide live-links to view some of the AFD events on big screens. The fan park will be open daily from 9am – 6pm.
Several demonstrations have been lined up for AFD.
The airforce has already sent several C130 Hercules’s to Durban from Pretoria for AFD. Watch as a C130 buzzes the crowd in 2015.
On Saturday a live capability demonstration will take place on the New Beach – next to Addington Hospital. The demonstration is open to the public and will start at 2pm and last for 1 hour.
That night the AFD Gala Music Concert will take place at Durban City Hall (Dr Prixley KaSeme Street or old West Street).
Members of the public are advised to get their free admission tickets at the Durban City Hall information counter or at Lords Army Military Unit in the City Centre. Gates open at 5pm and the event starts at 6.30pm.
A fun run/walk will be held on Sunday at the Beach Front. The event will start at Blue Lagoon at 6am and end at uShaka Marine World. The event is open to all who wish to participate.
On Monday, February 20 a night shooting capability demonstration will take place at Blue Lagoon in Durban North. The demonstration will start at 7pm and last for up to 45 minutes.
Attending members of the public to be seated by 6.30pm.
Then, on Tuesday, February 21 the big Armed Forces Day Parade will move up the M4 past the podium at the back end of Moses Mabida Stadium.
The parade will start at 10am and everyone is invited to come support our defence forces and see some of the latest military hardware that will be on display.
The celebration of our armed forces will end with a grand closure and capability demonstration at Blue Lagoon directly after the parade.
The public is allowed to come and view the demonstration. Those who can’t make it to the parade and/or capability demo will have an opportunity to view all proceedings live at the fan park through big screens.
There will be several road closures on the day of the parade.
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