Ek moes dit net post!!! So many times I get ask by youngsters what we did in the “army”. And they have some expectations regarding the answer. They want to hear about the “kontak” and afkak. And the guns and planes. The things you see in Rambo movies. The truth is twice a year thousands of young men were brought together in different bases all over the country. Rich, poor, short, long, fat, thin all makes and sizes, Afrikaans, English. All different in their own way. After three months you could not tell the difference between us. We were becoming soldiers. Same clothes, shoes, hairstyle and even the way we ate. We were becoming one. Yes we learned how to use a riffle and how to survive and how not to get on a buffel. We also learned to pick up a paper lying around (chicken parade), how to iron, make your bed, cook your food, how to walk up straight chest out looking everyone in the eye (kyk waar dit blou is). To be proud not only off your country, your unit or your bungalow but of yourself. We also learned to respect each other, looking after your fellow brothers in arms and to allow them to look after you. We also learned to be punctual (Hurry up and wait), to finish what you have started (Vasbyt). To give it your best (Maatjie werk nie saam nie). We learned how to be rithgeous and to lead from the front. Some of us have forgotten these values and some of us use it daily in our lives and businesses. Yes there are some “do you remember stories” some good times and some not so good times. Times when we were scared and time when we were brave. These times are my memories and those of my fellow brothers in arms. To answer the question of what we did in the army, I would like to answer. WE BECAME MEN
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:08:58 +0000