On Saturday 16 February 2019, the South African Legion, Soweto Branch, in conjunction with the Speaker of Council of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Vasco Da Gama hosted the annual SS Mendi memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at the SS Mendi Memorial. Every year is important but this year was particularly significant as upgrades to the memorial were unveiled for the first time.
The service commemorates those brave soldiers of the South African Native Labour Contingent who volunteered their services during World War I and paid the ultimate sacrifice when the Darro cut the SS Mendi in half on the 21st February 1917 at 05:00. Six hundred and seven Black South African soldiers and 9 of their white fellow countrymen drowned in the disaster. Click here to view a few articles on the Mendi.
Below are a few photos from the event supplied by the City of Johannesburg:
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