A Brief Introduction Since I first became involved with the Defence Reserves Provincial Office Western Cape in July 2010, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a range of military events and functions (wreath laying ceremonies, medal parades, concerts, and a formal dinner). I’ve gone for a spin on a Rooikat – a truly formidable armoured…
Update: An article I wrote about this event was published on the Reserve Force Division website. Here is the PDF document. Now that I have finished uploading all the best of my photos, I thought I’d give you a summary page with all the blog links relating to the Cape Town Military Tattoo 2010. I…
As soon as the smoke had cleared after the final salvo of the 1812 Overture, it was time for the Final Muster. All the participants in the evening’s performance returned to the brightly lit-up arena one final time, filling the entire front courtyard of the Castle. They were followed by the regimental flag bearers and…
After the performance by the SA Army Band of KwaZulu Natal, it was time for the annual highlight of the Cape Town Military Tattoo: the performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture to the sound of live gunfire. This well-known piece of music is “an overture written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate…
As soon as the Celtic Dancers had retreated through the dark-green double doors of the residence, we were treated to a riveting song-and-dance performance by the SA Army Band of KwaZulu Natal.
After the massed pipe bands had withdrawn through the archway, a group of about ten dancers emerged onto the Kat balcony, where they posed for a moment, before stepping elegantly down the stairs onto the slightly elevated stage below. They were dressed in knee-length tartan skirts, either a white blouse with a velvet vest, or…
After the magnificent old Castle had been successfully defended gainst the attackers, it was time for the massed pipe bands to stride triumphantly into the arena. They appeared out of the swirling mists (courtesy of two smoke machines on either side of the Kat archway), their snare drums rattling and bass drums thumping, and with…
Mere moments after the medical orderlies and stretcher bearers of 3 Medical Battalion Group, led by the beautiful old horse-drawn ambulance wagon, had left the arena, the lights dimmed. This signalled the start of one of my favourite parts of the evening’s performance: the mock attack! This was a modern-day demonstration of the difficult and…
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. In order to illustrate this, a team of soldiers and medics from 3 Medical…
After the high-energy performance by the drummies of Curro Private School, it was the turn of the popular SA Army Band of Cape Town (more here) in their red tunics and dark-blue pants to wow the audience. Led out by Drum Major WO2 André van Schwalkwyk and under the baton of Director of Music Major…
After the spell-binding performance by the SAPS mounted unit, the spectators were in for a treat: the young drum majorettes of Curro Private School with their flashy red-blue-and-silver costumes, knee-length white boots and furry busbies, came striding into the arena, twirling their batons and silvery banners.
As the Rwandan Defence Force Army Band left the arena through the gap next to Stand D, the SAPS Mounted Unit, which had assembled on the opposite side, next to Stand A, trotted into the light.
After the silent drill team in their striking blue and black uniforms had finished their routine, and the echoing boom of their bass drum had faded away, the Army Band of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) strode into the arena.
Once all the participants in the First Muster had left the arena, the Drill Squad from the Western Province School Marching Drill and Exhibition Association (WP SMDEA) emerged from the Kat archway. They were led out by their vigorous troop of drummers, who kept up a relentless beat, energising and driving on the squad.
After the closing of the Castle for the night, and giving everyone a big fright with the musket- and cannon fire, all the participating bands marched onto the arena for the exciting First Muster. Centre stage was taken by the SA Army Band of Cape Town in their startling red tunics, with the Army Band…
Grains of Sand 
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