GALLERY: Fallen soldiers honoured at Voortrekker Monument
The Wall of Remembrance was inaugurated on 25 October 2009 and has hosted a memorial service annually since.
The next-of-kin of the soldiers who died in service honoured their loved ones at the Voortrekker Monument on Sunday.
Attendees laid wreaths, crosses or flowers at the Wall of Remembrance to honour their loved ones “to remember those who lost their lives in the Border War from 1966 until 1992”, said Pieter Joubert of the SA Defence Force Association.
“This is one of the highlights of the annual calendar of memorial services,” he said.
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The Wall of Remembrance was inaugurated on 25 October 2009 and has hosted a memorial service annually since.
Joubert said the wall displays names of more than 2 500 soldiers who died in service, and approximated 800 of them had died during operations.
Joubert shared a tragic incident during the historic Border War.
“On 3 December 1980, national servicemen of three SA Infantry Battalion were deployed in the former South West Africa operational area,
He said it was a few days before their service would have ended and they could return home.
“Their final task was to escort buses with civilian passengers between Ondangwa and Oshakati.
“On the return journey, the small convoy of two Buffel armed vehicles was attacked by RPG7 anti-tank missiles.”
He said there were men and women killed in the attack, while some were critically wounded.
Joubert said the drivers survived and have attended the memorial since.
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They placed flowers at the Wall of Remembrance for their fallen brothers in arms.
The attendees also paid respect to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The event was hosted by the Council for Military Veterans’ Organisations of South Africa.
The council said organisations such as itself played an important role in the interest of soldiers, giving recognition to the service rendered by members in uniform.
“Soldiers who have paid the highest price need to be honoured.”
“Today is one of those events which offer the next-of-kin the opportunity to honour the memory of their loved ones and also offer military veterans’ organisations and individuals the occasion to honour their brothers in arms.”
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