Update: An article I wrote about this event was published on the Reserve Force Division website. Here is the PDF document.
In barely two weeks’ time, the imposing stone walls of the venerable 330-year-old Castle of Good Hope in central Cape Town will be reverberating to the rhythmic thumping of drums, the wailing of bagpipes and the echoing boom of live gunfire, as the oldest military headquarters in the country hosts the sixth Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010.
Welcome to the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010, organised by the Defence Reserves of the Western Cape
One of the not-to-be-missed highlights of the Cape Town calendar, the Tattoo has proved so popular among locals and visitors that it has now become an annual event, from its humble beginnings in 2003. The sell-out success of the last years has even persuaded organisers to extend the Tattoo by a day: This year, the nightly performances will take place from Wednesday 3 November to Saturday 6 November 2010.
The beautifully decorative Kat balcony, with a small 2lb cannon in front
The main theme of this year’s tattoo is ‘Come Home to Africa’, with the sub-theme being ‘A Tribute to the Unsung Heroes’. This is an acknowledgement of all the men and women of the military support services, who provide combat support.
The familiar and much-loved stalwarts of the more than 2-hour-long programme are participating this year too, such as the SA Army Bands of Cape Town and Kroonstad, and the Pipes and Drums of Cape Field Artillery and of 1 Medical Battalion Group. In addition, spectators will also be entertained by the Rwanda Army Band, the Drum Majorettes from Curro Private School with their twirling batons, and the SAPS Mounted Unit with their powerful steeds.
Moeniba Roberts and the staff from Het Bakhuys serve glasses of sherry to the invited guests from the military and the press
Let us not forget the Castle Guard Halberdiers who perform the Key Ceremony at the beginning of the show, when the massive gates to the Castle are locked. Or the wonderful chaps in period costume who fire their muskets and 2 lb cannons from the ornamental Kat balcony with such devastating effect! As in previous years, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture will be performed, as it should be – to the accompaniment of live gunfire from the Cape Field Artillery’s ceremonial 25-pounder guns!
This year, however, there will be an additional event: a breath-taking mock attack on the Castle to illustrate the role of the medical support!
Brace yourselves to be swept away by marvellous music, dazzling costumes, and thrilling displays of military power!
Mounted Unit of the South African Police Services under command of Lt Col Hendrik Steyn
The main show starts at 20h00, but the Castle will open its gates to the public at 18h00 every evening. Safe parking will be available on the Grand Parade in front of the Castle. Refreshments will be on sale at the De Goewerneur Restaurant.
This year, for the first time, spectators who arrive early will also be treated to some exciting pre-show performances of youth groups, such as the Sea Cadets and the drill squad from the Western Province School Marching Drill and Exhibition Association.
What a stunning backdrop of Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and the centuries-old Castle!
In June and July this year, the Defence Reserves showcased their involvement with skills development among the youth in Cape Town, by putting together an exciting programme involving five talented youth groups who performed at the Castle during the 2010 FIFA World Cup: the Portlands High School Field Marching Band, the Eerste River Youth Brigade, the Malibu Drum Majorettes, the South African Sea Cadets and the Limited Edition Drum Corps.
During the recent mid-term school holidays, a group of youngsters from various schools in the Western Cape were selected and trained by the SA Army Band Cape Town; these have combined forces to make up the drill squad from the Western Province School Marching Drill and Exhibition Association, which will be entertaining Tattoo audiences before the main performance begins at 20h00.
Mr Alan Miller of the Black Powder Association fires the Blunderbuss
On Tuesday, 19 October 2010, the much-anticipated media launch for the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010 was held at the Castle of Good Hope. The journalists, reporters and photographers from various media (print, radio, television) were treated to a series of live performances. First, the brave men and women of the SAPS Mounted Unit charged around the arena on their tempestuous and mighty steeds.
Thereafter, the SA Army Band Cape Town gave a magnificent and polished display of their musical and marching skills, once again showing why they are such crowd-pleasing favourites.
Then the photographers and journalists were taken up close and personal to the muskets and the 2lb cannon. It was explained – and then demonstrated to spectacular effect – how the different muskets, including the so-called ‘Brown Bess’, the Blunderbuss and the Caplock rifle, are loaded and fired. That 2lb pound cannon may look rather small and insignificant close-up, but it packs a truly mighty punch! The thunderous report of the live gunfire thus created considerable excitement, as the echoes of the explosion reverberated around the front courtyard amidst clouds of cordite.
Mr Jurg Zimmerman of the Cannon Association of South Africa fires the 2lb cannon, clearly demonstrating that this cannon should not be underestimated!
Thereafter, it was the turn of the Cape Field Artillery Pipes and Drums in their red tartan kilts and brown army jackets to join forces with the SA Army Band Cape Town, as they marched into the arena. They ended the evening’s show with a soul-stirring and truly goose-bumps inducing performance of ‘Highland Cathedral’.
The show was followed by a media briefing in the Het Bakhuys Officers’ Mess, with Lt Col Johan Conradie giving a short presentation on the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010 and the performers that will be part of the event this year.
Their last piece is my favourite one: Highland Cathedral
This was followed by refreshments in the tastefully decorated Dolphin Room overlooking the Dolphin Pool, which was lit up almost eerily in red. This was the perfect opportunity to socialise and engage in some networking.
What a beautiful venue
Since bookings opened at Computicket last week, more than 700 tickets have already been sold, which is clearly testimony of the popularity of this event!
So, call up your friends, email your colleagues, make your travel plans, and book your seats!
Whatever you do, don’t miss the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010!
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- Welcome to the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010, organised by the Defence Reserves of the Western Cape
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- The beautifully decorative Kat balcony, with a small 2lb cannon in front
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- Moeniba Roberts and the staff from Het Bakhuys serve glasses of sherry to the invited guests from the military and the press
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- Lovely golden liquid…
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- Lt Col Johan Conradie conversing with the men from the Cannon Association of South Africa
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- Maj Dalene Coetzee (Media/Marketing Officer of the CT Mil Tattoo) Col W. Van der Linde and Col S. Zeeman
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- Lt Col Johan Conradie, Chairman of the Tattoo Committee, and Maj Charles de Cruz, Producer of the CT Mil Tattoo discuss the program
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- MWO R. Boltman (Director of Tattoo), Capt (SAN) T. Morom, Lt Col B. Sterne (Vice Chairman of Committee) and Lt Col CA de Haan (CO of CFA)
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- Lt Col Conradie speaking with Mr Manie Bester of Radio Tygerberg
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- Capt John Manning, the announcer at the Tattoo, in conversation with Mr Matt and Karin Theunissen
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- Maj J.P. Wessels, responsible for VIP management and guest relations for the CT Mil Tattoo, welcomes the guests
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- The horses from the SAPS Mounted Unit are warming up in the rear courtyard
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- Mounted Unit of the South African Police Services under command of Lt Col Hendrik Steyn
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- One of the powerful steeds
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- Thundering around the front courtyard
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- Stunning horses!
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- They are very well-trained and well-behaved
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- A final line-up with a salute in front of the photographers
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- The excellent SA Army Band Cape Town arrive under Drum Major WO2 André van Schalkwyk
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- What a stunning backdrop of Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and the centuries-old Castle!
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- They form up in front of the Kat balcony
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- The muzzle-loaders from the Black Powder Association in period costume
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- Sometimes these weapons misfire!
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- Mr Alan Miller of the Black Powder Association fires the Blunderbuss
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- Preparing to fire the 2lb cannon
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- Mr Jurg Zimmerman of the Cannon Association of South Africa fires the 2lb cannon, clearly demonstrating that this cannon should not be underestimated!
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- WO2 Steve Leibbrandt and WO2 André van Schalkwyk leading CFA Pipes and Drums and the SA Army Band Cape Town
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- Their last piece is my favourite one: Highland Cathedral
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- CFA Pipes and Drums are led out by WO2 Steve Leibbrandt
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- Lt Col Conradie giving a short presentation to the media about the CT Mil Tattoo 2010
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- The venue is the Het Bakhuys Officers’ Mess
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- Looking in through the arch windows
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- Lovely arrangements of Arum lilies
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- Gorgeous chandeliers
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- Pretty, isn’t it?
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- Artistic arrangement of flowers
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- What a beautiful venue
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- Lt Col Kees de Haan, OC of Cape Field Artillery, with CWO Japie Cupido, the WO SA Army Reserves South
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- Maj M. Chandler (Director of Music), S/Sgt A. Imrie (Tattoo Pipe Major), Maj J.P. Wessels and RSM of Regiment Oranjerivier, MWO K. Minnie
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- Lt Col E. Nijeboer, WO1 S. Jordaan and Capt (SAN) T. Morom of DRPOWC, and Lt Col M. Smit (in charge of disaster management for Tattoo)
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- Ms Elsette Musso flanked by Staff Sergeant Jerome Mecloen and WO2 André van Schalkwyk of the SA Army Band CT
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- View of the beautiful Dolphin Pool with its striking night-time illumination
Other links:
- Official website of the Cape Town Military Tattoo
- Photos by Brent Best
- Website of Cape Town Tourism
Grains of Sand 
It’s so interesting to read about Africa and the Cape Town Military Tattoo. You make the world so much bigger, Reggie!
Aw, thank you, Kathy! I’m pleased to hear that. Perhaps one of these days you’ll come visit Cape Town… if you do, time it so that you can attend the tattoo! 😀
I agree with Kathy, it is interesting and educational to see and read your posts. Are there a Tattoo every year? I wonder what has made you interested in Tattoo, is it the tradition or the music or something else?
Thank you, Birgitte. 🙂
Yes, the Cape Town Military Tattoo at the Castle has become an annual event. I think the ‘first’ one was held here in 2003; this year’s event is the 6th, as there were two gaps inbetween (I think).
It’s become very popular, with tickets often selling out before the show. It’s also a fairly ‘small’ venue, in that they ‘only’ had something like 1200 seats the previous year(s) and there were only three performances. So this year they’ve added another night, and about 300 more seats to their stands, to accommodate more people. I hope they’re going to sell out this year too!
To answer your last question… hm… I love everything about it: the dramatic music, the surprises, the powerful horses, the amazing marching bands, the different types of military uniforms, the traditions, the sound and smell of the gunfire and musket fire, the pipers and drummers in their kilts, the spectacular old Castle all lit up under a starry night sky….
I love the mounting sense of excitement when you walk over from the parking area towards the Castle, and past those powerful 25-pounder ceremonial guns, through the lovely stone archway into the lit-up courtyard, with all the military guards on duty and the ushers who show you to your seats, and the bustle of many things happening, and the excited chattering of all the spectators before the show… the anticipation makes it difficult to sit still… so you go and queue for a cup of tea or coffee, and then of course you need to pee, so you go and queue at the toilets… and there’s excitable children running around and everyone has this gleam in their eyes…
And then the now familiar voice of the announcer, Captain John Manning, welcoming us to the Tattoo, introducing the different acts and explaining the traditions… Before you know it, you’re all swept up in the performance, as one act flows into the next, and you almost forget where you are, but then all the performers march on for the Final Muster, and you know that it’s going to end, all too soon, and you find yourself feeling quite sad and melancholy, and wishing you could go again the next night, but you know that’s kind-of-unreasonable and so you know that you’ll have to wait another whole year for the next Tattoo.
Well, anyway… 🙂 That’s been my experience the last few years. I wonder what it’ll feel like this year? 🙂
Good Morning! Wish you could film this! SUPER article Regg, quite amazing writing! Wish I could see this and the Ocean near the cape! Keep saving the pennies etc.. GREAT writing feel like I am there watching the activities!
Hi Bobz – Aww, thanks! I’m planning to post loads of photos, so that you can feel as though you’re right here with us. I think you need to plan your trip to coincide with the Tattoo, actually… So you’ve got another year to save up! 😉
Thank you for your colorful answer answer, Reggie, it almost gave me a feeling of being there myself. I can imagine how nice and cosy it has been.
Exactly that was my intention! 😉 It would be absolutely awesome if you could be here to experience it for yourself one day, but in the meantime, I hope I can convey some of that magic in words and images.