Two major February events did not put a damper on the National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) from marking its 30th year of existence.
A “celebratory event”, according to Corporal MVR Matobela of NCG Corporate Communication, was held at NCG headquarters in the Sebokeng military complex on the western side of the Pretoria central business district (CBD) on 20 January. The occasion marked the official return to barracks after the year-end break as well as an introduction to the unit for its allocation of military skills development (MSD) personnel.
NCG Officer Commanding (OC) Colonel Sharon Masilela told those present the newcomers would reinforce the ceremonial capacity of the NCG as well as “sustain its commitment to precision and excellence in all assigned duties”.
First up for the NCG this year is the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Cyril Ramaphosa. It is scheduled for Thursday, 12 February at 19h00 with the Cape Town City Hall and its Grand Parade the venue. The choice of venue is because the arson damage to the National Assembly in January 2022 is still being repaired with Parliament’s current alternate site – the Nieumeester Dome, erected on the parking area of the same name – unable to handle the SONA.
In addition to its NCG on ceremonial duty, the SANDF will contribute a 21-gun salute by an as yet unnamed regiment, an SA Air Force (SAAF) flypast, military police in a motorcycle escort and airmen, military medics, sailors and soldiers lining the streets.
Number two on the NCG list will see the unit at Thohoyandou in Limpopo for Armed Forces Day (AFD) on 21 February.
The NCG was set up as a specialist ceremonial unit, with bodyguarding and specialist driving skills added in what is termed a protection detail, in 1967 as the State President’s Guard. Post democracy it was reformed under the auspices of then president Nelson Mandela with a new name and the same responsibilities. Originally housed in own barracks immediately north of what was the SAAF Gymnasium in Thaba Tshwane, ground subsidence brought on by dolomitic conditions saw it relocate to the Sebokeng military complex in 2008.
