It’s not uncommon to spot men and women in camo army gear or large military vehicles in Grahamstown. This is an ‘army town’ after all, with the 6SAI base a few kilometres outside the city centre and the First City Regiment’s offices on Hill Street.
It’s not uncommon to spot men and women in camo army gear or large military vehicles in Grahamstown. This is an ‘army town’ after all, with the 6SAI base a few kilometres outside the city centre and the First City Regiment’s offices on Hill Street.
Recently though, some started noticing military personnel with unusual accents and strange uniforms around local drinking holes at night. That’s unusual!
These people in unfamiliar dress are members of the United States military, here for a fortnight to conduct joint training exercises with our defence force.
According to a press release these activities were “designed to increase the ability of both forces to respond to humanitarian disasters and peace keeping/enforcing operations in the region”.
But many residents did not know this, and some, mainly in Grahamstown East, weren’t even aware that US troops were here. A police officer who asked to remain anonymous said the local police station also didn’t know they were coming.
Generally, reactions to US military presence was mixed.
Many residents welcomed them. Others felt they were a nuisance, especially as some allegedly saw rowdy off-duty American soldiers drinking and giving away bits of their uniforms in drinking games. Street beggars definitely also seemed to benefit from the US army’s generosity.
Arguably, the impact they made on Grahamstown was negligible and transitory. They left yesterday.
So I would say that those lucky enough to interact and receive gifts from the Americans should just count their blessings, because who knows, or cares when they’ll return to lil’ old Grahamstown again.
