Cape Town – The City hosted its annual Remembrance Day service for fallen safety and security staff members at the weekend.
The service was held to pay tribute to enforcement and emergency services staff, who lost their lives in the line of duty.
City safety and security mayco member JP Smith , said: “(Saturday) was a bitter-sweet moment, however, today was the first public appearance of the safety and security brass band.
“This was the vision of one of our law enforcement officers, who himself used to grace our annual ceremony each year by playing the bugle and who tried desperately to get a brass band established within the directorate.
“At first, we struggled as we had no policy documents to guide us but he was persistent. He prevailed and on September 29 authorisation was granted to his senior management to establish the band.
“Sadly, the officer never received the news. That evening, while off duty, Alessandro (Heynes’) life was cut short by gangsters in Elsies Rivier after he came under attack. To Alessandro, to all those of the directorate's family who have left us or who have fallen in the battle, you will never be forgotten. ‘Until Valhalla’,” Smith said.
Last year, the names of staff members who succumbed to Covid-19 were added to a wall.
On Saturday, mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis and mayco member for safety and security JP Smith joined relatives of the fallen members for the service and wreath-laying ceremony.
Hill-Lewis said: “Real heroes are people who are admired for their qualities like bravery, selflessness, sacrifice and strength of character. Heroes think of the well-being of others before they think of themselves. They are the kind of people who would take risks and put their own lives in danger if it meant helping someone else. Heroes aren’t passive people. They don’t wait to see who else might step into the breach when help is needed. They are the ones who take that step first. They’re active people.”
Cape Times