Anzac Day is observed on 25th April each year. This year’s commemorative dawn service took place at Freedom Park in Pretoria.
The proceedings began with the lament played by the lone piper, followed by Major Anthony Sulicich, the Australian Deputy Defence Attaché from the Australian High Commission, who welcomed guests. H.E. Philip Hewitt, High Commissioner of New Zealand, read out the requiem. Ambassador of Türkiye, H.E. Ayşegül Kandaş, delivered the words of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first President of the Republic of Türkiye. High Commissioner of Australia, H.E. Tegan Brink, gave the address, thanking members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the South African government, service men and women, esteemed guests, and friends for attending.
Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli campaign in Türkiye, their first engagement in the First World War. It is estimated that over 130,000 soldiers lost their lives over the following 8 months of the gruelling battle.
Many attendees were seen wearing the remembrance poppy flag, worn since 1921 to commemorate those who passed away in wars. The timing of the dawn service is based on the time that the ANZAC forces started landing on the Gallipoli peninsula.
Ms Gabrielle Chin, First Secretary at the New Zealand High Commission, read the ode:
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
The official laying of the wreaths followed, with wreaths laid by the Australian High Commission, the New Zealand High Commission, the Embassy of Türkiye, the Embassy of the United States of America, and service men and women.
Lest we forget.
by Marion Kate
