From the SAS Mendi (at sea)
Thursday was spent cleaning up the ship and getting it ready for the arrival. Everyone got stuck into the clean-up; officers, warrant officers, senior ratings and junior ratings. The sea boat was also launched to wash down the shipside.
S Lt Ngidi getting stuck into cleaning the alley deck.
At 10:00 the important news arrived that there was cellular phone reception. In a flash everyone with a cell-phone who was not on watch were on the upper deck phoning his or her loved ones. Spirits were very high and their was a lot of excitement looking forward to sailing into Simon's Town or even just being able to see Table Mountain, then you know you are back home.
In the afternoon those who wanted could shoot a few rounds with the 7.62 FN rifle, 9-mm Uzzi sub-machine gun or a 9-mm pistol. On completion of the shooting exercise all the 'sea riders' (members who sailed with the ship, but not part of the ship's company) held a braai (South African barbeque) for everyone.
Shooting exercise.
At 20:00 the ship's company gathered in the Junior Ratings Mess. First the German officers thanked the Captain and ship's company for everything and handed a gift to each mess.
Lt Cdr Grimm (German Navy) handing over a ships badge
to the Junior Ratings Mess President, LS Swartz.
The Director Fleet Human Resources, R Adm (JG) Litchfield-Tshabalala, then thanked the Captain, officers and crew for their hospitality and she commended the Captain on his excellent crew. She then asked the Executive Officer (XO), Doctor and the Chief Boatswain's Mate to start to sing
My Sarie Marais, the whole ship's company joined in and afterwards everyone sang
Shosholoza (the 'unofficial South African anthem').
R Adm (JG) Litchfield-Tshabalala, Cdr Schutte,
Lt Col Kleinhans and CPO Fisher singing.
Trophies were then handed out for the beard growing competition, for the best and the worst beard, for the Cooking competition between the messes and for the Quiz Competition between the messes. The Junior Ratings Mess won the cooking competition and the Ward Room won the quiz.
Participants in the beard growing competition.
Trophies for the different competitions.
Each person on board the ship then received a certificate to commemorate the maiden voyage of the
SAS Mendi. The Captain thanked everyone and reminded them that the mission is not complete until the ship is alongside Simon's Town.
