• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Lifestyle

South Africans commemorate centenary of WWI Armistice

12 November 2018, 6:28 AM  |
Janet Szabo Janet Szabo |  @SABCNews
The memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria opened with recordings of gunfire and shelling evoking the atmosphere of the brutal conflict 100 years ago.

The memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria opened with recordings of gunfire and shelling evoking the atmosphere of the brutal conflict 100 years ago.

Image: SABC News

The memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria opened with recordings of gunfire and shelling evoking the atmosphere of the brutal conflict 100 years ago.

South Africans across the country have commemorated the centenary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the Great War on November 11, 1918.

This year’s Armistice Day coincides with Remembrance Sunday, which is always held on the second Sunday in November regardless of the date.

The memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria opened with recordings of gunfire and shelling, evoking the atmosphere of the brutal conflict 100 years ago.

As the hour of 11 o’clock approached, the guns fell silent and were replaced by jubilant peals of church bells, recreating the time when Armistice Day was declared on November 11, 1918 and Big Ben in London sounded on the hour at 11am – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

The National Civic Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in Johannesburg also paid tribute to the men of the Cape Corps who fought and died during the Battle of Square Hill against Turkish forces fighting on the side of the Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Germany and Bulgaria) in Palestine 100 years ago.  The field gun they captured is now incorporated in the Square Hill Memorial in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

Speaking at the Johannesburg memorial, Reverend Trevor Slade spoke of the importance of continuing remembrance: “This generation has gathered here today with our memories of loved ones who were killed in past wars.  We are also here today in solidarity with those who are still alive, but who live with terrible wounds of body and mind. We are here today to ensure that the memory of those who died in war and those who survived war, and especially those brave South African servicemen and women who died in the First World War, the Battle of Square Hill, those who died in World War ll, Korea and subsequent battles for the liberation of people everywhere, that their memory will live on for all generations.”

Serving military members, veterans and diplomats attended the services and laid wreaths to honour those who fought and died not only in the First World War, but also other conflicts such as Korea and during peacekeeping operations.

Wreaths were laid by among others representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and the US as well as veterans organisations such as the  SA Legion of Military Veterans, the MK Military Veterans Association, Cape Corps Military Veterans, 32 Battalion Veterans Association. Also, a wreath was laid in tribute to the descendants of those who died on the SS Mendi in 1917.

Other memorial services were held as far afield as Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban and at schools such as King Edward VII School (KES) in Johannesburg and Diocesan College or Bishops in Cape Town.

Across the world, thousands of people gathered in capitals, beside monuments and in front of their leaders to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.  South African Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Naqakula, attended the ceremony in Paris.

The First World War began as a conflict between European powers in August 1914, but soon spread across the world with fighting in Africa and the Middle East and drew in countries such as America and Japan. About 10 million soldiers died in the fighting as well as an estimated 10 million civilians.

While the Armistice was celebrated by the citizens of Britain and France as the start of peace, for those in countries like Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria and Hungary, the armistice did not mean peace, but revolution, the collapse of monarchies and empires, economic hardships and poverty.

In a moving tribute during the Pretoria ceremony, and possibly a first during a Remembrance Day memorial service, Mr Wasserman and his dog laid a wreath to a round of applause on behalf of the South African Police counterinsurgency or COIN Veterans League, for all animals that died in combat.

Share article
Tags: South AfricaCentenary WWIArmistice Day
Previous Post

DRC opposition picks Martin Fayulu as its presidential candidate

Next Post

Semenya leads win at the Sports Awards

Related Posts

Models present creations at the Gucci Fall/Winter 2023/2024 menswear show in Milan, Italy January 13, 2023.

Gucci names De Sarno as creative director with the task of reviving the brand

28 January 2023, 10:01 PM
Cast member Andrea Riseborough arrives at the premiere for 'Matilda the Musical' in London, Britain, November 21, 2022.

Film academy reviewing Oscar campaigns after surprise nomination

28 January 2023, 5:05 PM
[File photo] A Gucci sign is seen outside a shop in Paris, France, January 27, 2023.

Kering appoints De Sarno as Gucci creative director

28 January 2023, 1:09 PM
FILE PHOTO: Institute of Political Studies (IEP) or "Sciences Po" main entrance at the Institute in Paris, France, May 28, 2013. Picture taken May 28, 2013. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

Top French university bans use of ChatGPT to prevent plagiarism

27 January 2023, 9:22 PM

VIDEO | 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day celebrates its 9th anniversary

27 January 2023, 6:40 PM
Hands sign language circle 'I love you'.

Sign language closer to becoming SA’s 12th official language

27 January 2023, 6:04 PM
Next Post
Caster Semenya was the big winner at the South African Sports Awards on Sunday night.

Semenya leads win at the Sports Awards

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Scorcher predicted in Northern Cape for two weeks
  • Residents shut down Komani over power woes
  • ANC slams DA’s march to Luthuli House
  • No registration fee will be charged to NSFAS-funded students: Nzimande
  • ANC MP’s wife shot, suspects still at large
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Premier denies claims that KZN government spent millions on Mampintsha’s funeral
  • Limpopo man arrested after discovery of his wife’s body in water-filled pit toilet
  • Gas leak shut, isolated in Pretoria North
  • Mahlengi Bhengu replaces Pule Mabe as ANC chief spokesperson
  • EFF cuts ties with IFP in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Malema calls on South Africans to reject Just Energy Transition

LATEST

Jacob Zuma
  • South Africa

Decision on Judge Koen on recusal matter in case involving Zuma to be heard on Monday


Models present creations at the Gucci Fall/Winter 2023/2024 menswear show in Milan, Italy January 13, 2023.
  • Lifestyle

Gucci names De Sarno as creative director with the task of reviving the brand


People carry a banner reading " We are also teaching fighting" as school workers demonstrate for better salaries and working conditions, in Lisbon, Portugal January 28, 2023.
  • South Africa

Tens of thousands of teachers march in Lisbon to demand better pay and conditions


The Lebombo Border Post between South Africa and Mozambique.
  • South Africa

Stolen cars recovered near Mozambican border


South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor shakes hands with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, ahead of their bilateral meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, January 23, 2023.
  • Politics

DA slams SA government for defending the military exercise with Russia


Crew members signal to a F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet preparing to take off for a routine flight on board the U.S. USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during a routine deployment to the South China Sea, Mid-Sea, January 27, 2023.
  • World

US four-star general warns of war with China in 2025


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous DRC opposition picks Martin Fayulu as its presidential candidate
Next Semenya leads win at the Sports Awards