Motorists may find it difficult to navigate through the city centre traffic next week Thursday 28 August as a number of streets will be closed for celebrations by 6 South African Infantry Battalion (6 SAI) soldiers.
Motorists may find it difficult to navigate through the city centre traffic next week Thursday 28 August as a number of streets will be closed for celebrations by 6 South African Infantry Battalion (6 SAI) soldiers.
The soldiers will exercise their right to the Freedom of the City by presenting a parade in front of City Hall in High Street and a march through the streets of Grahamstown.
The event forms part of welcoming celebrations for soldiers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they formed part of the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade.
Streets to be affected include Hill Street, High Street (Church Square), Cawood Road from the corner of African/Cawood streets to the corner of Cawood/High streets. Hill Street will be closed between 9-9.30am.
This is where the soldiers will form up for the parade. High Street – from Church Square to the crossing at Cawood Street – will be closed from 6am-10.30am for the duration of the parade in front of City Hall, as will the afore-mentioned section of Cawood Road.
Yoliswa Ramokolo, Makana municipality spokesperson, said Hodges Street and Spring Street will also be closed.
During the march, affected streets will be the section of High Street from Church Square to the crossing at Somerset Street at Rhodes University and New street where it crosses into Knight Street.
Carlisle Street will be closed for a short period during the march. Ramokolo said motorists are requested not to park in the above-mentioned streets. She apologised on behalf of the organisers of the event for any inconvenience.
The 6 SAI Battalion received their Freedom of the City on 31 March 1967 on their 5th anniversary from the Honorable Mayor Councilor G.J. Krige. The ceremony will start at 9.15am, with a band performing in front of City Hall followed by the parade at 9.30am.
