Photographs of a historic imbizo at Nomzamo: A personal perspective

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to be a roving journalist-photographer at an unusual and historic event that took place in the township of Nomzamo outside The Strand, near Somerset West. The Defence Review Committee, which is chaired by Mr Roelf Meyer, was holding an imbizo, or public meeting, at the local hall to engage with various communities in the Western Cape on the future of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This meeting in the Western Cape was the final one of a series of meetings that had been held in each of the provinces of South Africa over the previous months.

I have written an article about this event, which I am including in a separate post. I also took several hundred photographs during the course of the day, and hope you’ll enjoy looking through the gallery of a selection of photos below. In this post, I wanted to write about my experiences from a more personal perspective.

The convoy of military vehicles assembles at Fort iKapa in the pre-dawn darkness before sunrise.

It was a long and exhausting but also exciting Saturday. Although it was very cold when I drove through to Fort iKapa at 5h00 that Saturday morning, by midday the temperatures had soared into the 30s for the first time since before the winter. I met up with the convoy of military vehicles at the base, and joined Lt Col Johan Conradie and L/Cpl Leon Wessels, as we drove out to Nomzamo together. I must say that it was all very exciting to be driving around the military base in the pre-dawn darkness, locating the vehicles of the various units and coordinating the departure of the convoy!

We arrived at the community hall shortly before the convoy, and from then on there was plenty to photograph: the soldiers setting up the various static displays in a semi-circle on the field adjoining the hall, the people arriving from all over the Cape metropolis to attend the imbizo, and the kids and teenagers rushing all over the field to climb onto and into each of the vehicles. It was fascinating to see how enthusiastic, curious and fearless they were in interacting with the soldiers. I had expected them to be apprehensive of coming closer, but they were all so excited to see them!

Under the watchful eyes of Lt Dlakadla of Regiment Oranje Rivier, the youngsters obediently line up in neat rows, patiently waiting their turn to climb aboard the Rooikat

The Rooikat armoured vehicle, in particular, was completely hidden from sight as soon as the display was opened to the public – everyone immediately wanted to climb up onto the top and to sit in the turret and climb into the driver’s seat in the hull! For the first few moments, it was almost chaotic. But then Lieutenant Dlakadla of Regiment Oranjerivier, who had been left in charge of the display, got everyone – including the little kids – to line up in neat rows, to wait their turn. He seemed to have just the right combination of friendliness and ‘don’t mess with me’ firmness that instilled respect. And the kids loved it – I was amazed at how patiently and eagerly they waited for their moment to climb up, pose for a couple of photos (all the teenagers seemed to have cellphones), and pretend to be driving this hugely powerful vehicle.

I was also surprised that none of the kids were camera-shy at all. Wherever I went, they clustered around, posing for a picture with one of the magazines that had been handed out, or pretending to give a salute, or smiling happily with their friends, or forming themselves into impromptu group photos with young ones at the front and older ones at the back. And of course, they all wanted to see the pictures I had taken, so I had to keep swinging my camera around to show them the images on the LCD monitor, and they’d ooh-and-aah, and giggle and laugh, and shout, “Another one! Another one!”

A thumbs-up and a salute

The younger kids in particular were adorable – friendly, and open, and polite… When I was going through all the hundreds of photos afterwards, I often stopped to ask myself where these kids will be, in 5, 10, 15 years’ time? Will they be as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when they are older? Will they complete their schooling, obtain their matric certificates, and follow their dreams to become teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, pilots or pirates? Or will they take drugs, join a gang, participate in crimes, and find themselves in prison or on the run? Will some die prematurely, of TB, or AIDS, or drugs, or killed by a stray bullet? How many of the cute little girls will survive into adulthood, without being abused or raped or assaulted or killed?

In South Africa – and, alas, on much of the war-torn African continent, life is ‘cheap’ – judging from the increasingly violent behaviour of criminals. And thus it is not all that likely that a child will survive into adulthood or beyond, and even more rare if it has not been wounded or traumatised in some way. It was quite a sobering thought.

When all the attention became too much, I’d retreat inside the hall for a while, to take some pictures there, while listening to the questions being asked by the attendees.

This bunch quickly organises itself into a group photo

When the members of the committee, including the chairman Mr Roelf Meyer, arrived at the hall, they were shown around the displays – just as the Pipes and Drums of the Cape Field Artillery, led by Pipe Major Staff Sergeant Andrew Imrie, marched onto the field: their music definitely ratcheted up the levels of excitement and anticipation. As soon as the band had formed into a circle, they were surrounded by the kids – it was really funny to see how intrigued the little ones were by the strange wailing sounds emerging from the bagpipes!

One very young boy had pushed himself right to the front of the crowd, until he was standing right between two of the pipers. When they began to play, he stared at them in absolute amazement, and then stuck his fingers in his ears! But he didn’t budge! He continued to look all around the circle, mouth open, and completely riveted. It was so funny!

Can you see the kid with his fingers in his ears? He obviously wasn’t used to the wailing bagpipes!

About 800 people had come to attend the imbizo inside the hall. Mr Roelf Meyer welcomed everyone and briefly explained the purpose of the event, and then Dr Moses Khanyile gave a presentation about the SANDF and the issues looked at by the Defence Review Committee in the previous months. After the presentation, it was time for questions from the floor – and immediately there was a flurry of hands going up, as people fired questions at the committee members on the stage.

What I thought was most interesting was the fact that many of the questions revolved around the social problems that prevail in the Western Cape, particularly among the poorer communities – violent crime, gangsterism, and drug abuse. It was abundantly clear that they had lost faith in the ability of the Police to help them. The Police were accused of corruption and incompetence, a lack of commitment to assist victims of crime who asked for help, and an unwillingness and/or inability to do the job they were being paid to do: to keep the community safe and to arrest criminals and keep them off the streets. Their sense of frustration was evident.

Mr Roelf Meyer with some of the committee members on stage field some difficult questions from the community

Again and again, they made highly emotional pleas for the army to be deployed on the streets to assist the Police in combating these problems. Mr Meyer had to explain repeatedly that soldiers would not be deployed to patrol the streets, as this would take the country back to the time of the military state that existed during the years of apartheid. He reiterated that the Police was responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the civilian population inside the country, whereas the Defence Force was responsible for acting as the last line of defence to protect the safety, security and independence of the country as a whole. He emphasised that the Defence Force could only be deployed in support of the Police under a special presidential mandate.

Although he did his best to drive this point home, it was clear that this was not the answer the community wanted to hear, and the meeting took some time to settle down again.

The hall is very full – with around 800 people attending the imbizo

Another interesting set of questions revolved around the role the SANDF could play in youth development and leadership training. As Brigadier General John Gibbs explained, they were indeed intending to recommend that the Defence Force take on greater responsibility in this regard, by training people to become leaders, instilling positive values and strong ethics in them, and thus fostering nation building and community upliftment. The community responded very positively to this.

I was particularly struck by the fact that the military was regarded in such a positive light by the people who attended the imbizo, as well as by the hundreds of adults, teenagers and young children who interacted with the soldiers outside the hall throughout that day. There was no doubt that the discipline and good teamwork as well as the approachability and friendliness of the soldiers on duty had made a very positive impression on them. It made one feel quite proud to have been a part of this event.

I hope you’ll enjoy looking at the photos in the gallery below. If you want a closer look at a picture, click on it, and you’ll be able to scroll forwards and backwards through the ‘caroussel’ of images with their captions.

The convoy of military vehicles assembles at Fort iKapa in the pre-dawn darkness before sunrise.

The Rooikat armoured vehicle is followed by the Oerlikon 35 mm anti-aircraft cannon of the Cape Garrison Artillery, towed by a SAMIL 100 gun tractor

Lt Col Johan Conradie of the Defence Reserve Provincial Office Western Cape briefs the soldiers and Military Police who will be driving in the convoy

The Community Hall in Nomzamo outside the Strand hosts the Defence Review Committee’s final public imbizo

The South African Police Service and the Public Order Police have set up a venue operations centre on the field outside the Community Hall

Lt Col Conradie greets the members of Inferno private security company who have been tasked with controlling access to the venue

Here comes the convoy! The Rooikat turns into the little side-road that leads up to the field at the community hall

It is followed by the Mamba armoured personnel carrier and the Casspir, a landmine-protected personnel carrier

The Casspir is an intimidating vehicle if you stand next to it

WO2 Andy Keet instructs the Military Police to secure the perimeter of the field while the displays are being set up

The soldiers of Cape Garrison Artillery skilfully set up their Oerlikon 35 mm anti-aircraft cannon with great precision and teamwork

The CFA soldiers drape camouflage netting over their 25-pounder gun, which stands alongside their SAMIL 20 gun tractor

Once all the static displays have been prepared, Lt Col Conradie gives a final briefing to the troops

Meanwhile, a herd of goats wanders past the police vehicles – an incongruous sight, but quite common in a township

Lt Col Bryan Sterne and Capt (SAN) Trunell Morom share a light-hearted moment with the two translators/interpreters

Mr Roelf Meyer, Chairman of the DRC, and Brigadier General John Gibbs, Deputy Chief Director Defence Reserves, warmly greet the troops from the various regiments

The committee members are very impressed by the various displays

Members of the public clamber excitedly all over the Rooikat armoured vehicle of Regiment Oranje Rivier – this is clearly one of the most popular displays

A mischievous young laaitie proudly shows off his copy of the magazine

A thumbs-up and a salute

These boytjies are also very excited about all the activity on their community field

The Cape Field Artillery Pipes and Drums are led onto the field by Pipe Major Staff Sergeant Andrew Imrie

Forming into a circle, they surprise the community with a stirring performance

The band is immediately surrounded by curious spectators; the youngsters reward the drummers and pipers with much cheering and applause

The band almost disappears in the crowd of spectators

Concentrating on the music…

The big base drum

Can you see the kid with his fingers in his ears? He obviously wasn’t used to the wailing bagpipes!

Cape Field Artillery – group photo

Cape Garrison Artillery and Regiment Oranje Rivier pose for a group photo on the Rooikat

This young lady, still in her PJs and slippers, gives a neat salute to Colonel Elsa van Wyk

Col van Wyk poses with three admiring supporters

The young ones are not camera-shy at all – they all want to be photographed!

Another impromptu group photo from the kids

Capt (SAN) Trunell Morom is welcomed by two friendly young ladies at the table inside the hall

The imbizo begins in festive mood with a performance from the CFA Pipes and Drums inside the hall

The audience is welcomed to the final public imbizo with the Defence Review Committee 2012

Translators and secretaries are kept very busy. Capt (SAN) Trunell Morom of the Defence Reserves and Col S.A. Motswadira of Def Reserves Div also listen closely to the proceedings

Mr Roelf Meyer with some of the committee members on stage field some difficult questions from the community

Mr Roelf Meyer

The audience

Fielding the questions

The committee members on stage listen carefully to the feedback from the community

There are around 800 people attending this public imbizo – and they have many questions for the Committee

The hall is very full

A couple of kids play soccer in the open area between the displays – I wonder whether this is usually their soccer field on a weekend?

Whenever I go outside with my camera, I am mobbed by a bunch of kids clamouring to be photographed!

This bunch quickly organises itself into a group photo

They really act it up for the camera!

Lieutenant Dlakadla of the Regiment Oranje Rivier manages to keep order amidst the chaos

Under the watchful eyes of Lt Dlakadla of Regiment Oranje Rivier, the youngsters obediently line up in neat rows, patiently waiting their turn to climb aboard the Rooikat

The Mamba on the left is concealed by the camo-netting, and on the right is the Cape Field Artillery display

The children form an orderly queue, eagerly waiting for a chance to peer through the sights of the Cape Field Artillery’s 25-pounder gun

Bright-eyed and curious – I wonder where they will be in 10, 15, 20 years’ time?

These teenagers are eager to pose in front of the Cape Garrison Artillery’s powerful anti-aircraft cannon – I wonder whether they will be joining the Defence Force when they leave school?

Little ones having fun climbing all over the Mamba and the Casspir

A group of mothers

Another impromptu group photo, with more and more kids rushing over

Everyone wants to be in the picture!

Chaos!

Col Jaco Olivier (OC of ROR) is surrounded by a group of youngsters

A long queue is still waiting to inspect the Rooikat – Lt Dlakadla keeps the young ones busy, while the rest of the soldiers start to dismantle the static displays

CGA has packed up their anti-aircraft cannon

The last vehicles leave the field at the end of the display

The soldiers have made a very positive impression on the younger generation, with their professional and disciplined demeanour, as well as their friendliness and willingness to engage with the youth