A week of intense military activities reaches its conclusion and peak in Nelson Mandela Bay today.
Armed Forces Day will be celebrated on Port Elizabeth’s beachfront with a huge parade during which President Jacob Zuma will take the salute. Zuma will also hand out medals to a number of South African National Defence Force members.
The events start with a low key wreath-laying ceremony in New Brighton in PE for the 616 South African servicemen, who died when the SS Mendi sank near the Isle of Wight in the UK on the 21st of February 1917 . Thereafter, the focus shifts to Humewood and Summerstrand.
The parade will include hundreds of troops, several military marching bands, mechanised columns as well as fly-pasts by the Air Force and participation by the Navy.
The parade starts at ten o’clock, and will be followed by a capability demonstration at noon. A number of streets have been closed in Summerstrand and Humewood, and will only reopen at around 2pm.
The events are free to the public along the beachfront, with the focal point being between Shark Rock Pier and the McArthur Baths.
