GALLERY: A befitting memorial for Smuts
The event included songs, salutes and a mini-parade in honour of the famous historical figure.
A wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 148th birthday of historical South African statesman Jan Smuts was held in Irene on Sunday.
The ceremony was held at Smuts House Museum.
It was attended by members from the SAPS, SANDF and the Welsh Male Voice Choir of SA (Smuts’ favourite choir).
The event included songs, salutes and a mini-parade in honour of the famous historical figure.
It also attracted international visitors, who came to pay their respects to the Smuts family.
Samantha Young, from England, said she travelled far to pay tribute to the general.
“I am learning as much as I can about the man to better understand who he was,” she told Rekord.
Gill Young, also from England, said she has read much about on Smuts over the years.
“He was a great man who cared about his country and people,” she said.
“General Smuts was a man who believed in unity and saw no colour,” Marius van Rooyen of the Welsh Male Choir said.
“He wanted to see people living happily among one another.”
He described Smuts as a man who cared deeply about the rights of all people.
A memorial service will be held next Sunday at the Smuts House to also celebrate Smuts’ life.
He was born on May 24, 1870, and died on September 11, 1959.
In his long career, Smuts led a commando in the Boer War for the then Transvaal.
He also signed the peace treaty that would end the war between South Africa and the Republic of Orange Free State and the United Kingdom in 1902.
During WWI, he led the armies of South Africa against Germany, capturing then German South-West Africa (Namibia today).
From 1917 to 1919, he was also one of the members of the British imperial war cabinet.
He was instrumental in the founding of what became the Royal Air Force.
Smuts became a field marshal in the British Army in 1941, and served in the war cabinet under Winston Churchill.
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