Museum remembers black soldiers in SS Mendi tragedy

This year marks a centenary since the sinking of the ship SS Mendi off the coast of England.

As part of centenary celebrations, the SS Mendi travelling exhibition currently on display in Simon’s Town in the South Peninsula is expected to move around the Western Cape.

About 607 black men who went to fight in the First World War assisting the British troops and allies drowned following a collision between the SS Mendi and another ship.

Simon’s Town Museum spokesperson, Vicky Mlanjeni says that Reverend Dyobha called all the men together and he emphasised that although they were from many different backgrounds and groups they would face the danger and death as brothers.

“So I believe for me it’s a perfect example of how South Africans must come together as have in the past and face the challenges as brothers and sisters because we are much stronger together,” says Mlanjeni.