November - Department of Defence

clippingsDepicting various culturesBy Lebohang LetaoanaPhoto: F Sgt DavidNomtshongwanaThe SA Army College held its culturaland potted sports day at the Collegeon 13 August 2004. The members ofthe College depicted the different culturesand traditions of the people ofSouth Africa. Nine cultural groupsparticipated in this year's event,namely Coloureds, Xhosas/Zulus,Whites, Tsonga/Venda and Tswana/Pedi/Southern Sotho. Each group hadto prepare its own dish, item, settingof the table and dress code. Thegroups representing Xhosas/Zuluswon the category for Best Traditionand were also the overall winners. Thewinners of the Best Item were thegroups representing Vendas andMembers of the SA Army College depicted various cultures.Zulus/Xhosas. The groups representingthe Tswanas, Pedi, Tsonga andZulus/Xhosas won the Best Attire category.The potted sports consisted ofwheelbarrow pushing, bakkie pushingand egg tossing. The Tsonga groupwon the wheelbarrow pushing sportsitem, while the bakkie pushing waswon by the Coloureds and the eggtossing by the Tswanas.Equal opportunities for all40By Nakedi PhashaPhoto: Cpl Elias MahumaDespite the cold, windy weather therewas a huge turnout at the ZwartkopRacetrack in Pretoria, when theSANDF hosted Casual Day celebrationson 3 September 2004. Invitedguests from colleges for people withdisabilities and society in generalmade it there in large numbers,including children, young adults andthe old.The day was filled with lots ofactivities and entertainment, andeverybody had an enjoyable day, eventhough it felt like Mother Nature haddeserted everyone.The celebrations were opened witha prayer, followed by a performanceby the National Ceremonial Guard, tothe delight of most. "The DOD, in supportingCasual Day, will today withyour presence here again demonstrateto the South African society and disabledcommunity, our commitment inraising awareness about people withdisabilities, their rights, their needs,their potential and their contributionto society at large," said Brig Gen A.S.Somdaka, DirectorEqual Opportunities,in his welcomingspeech.If you are intocars and could notmake it to the celebrations,then youmissed out. Theguests had an opportunityto seecars up close.There was also awheelchair race.Despite thewind, one couldnot miss the smellof "boerewors" andsteak in the air. Itis a South Africannorm; a celebrationis not completewithout abraai. No need tofeel sad becauseyou missed all thisfun at this year'scelebrations; makesure you attendnext year.A smile holds more meaning than laughter, childrenwith disabilities enjoying themselves.S A S O L D I E R • N OV EMBER 2 0 0 4