“The Cape Town Military Tattoo: Celebrating 20 years of democracy in South Africa.”

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Article by: Captain John Manning

Photos by: Regine Lord

From the first peal of the Castle bell signalling the closing of the Van der Stel Gate to the last plaintive notes of the pipes leaving the arena a little under two hours later, the 2014 Cape Town Military Tattoo entranced the audience. Playing to packed stands, the 2014 tattoo brought the military and civic lives of the Mother City together in a celebration of pageantry and national defence capability. Congratulations from military and civilian dignitaries alike confirmed the enormous success of this year’s Cape Town Military Tattoo. Its increasing popularity is a clear testament to the growing profile enjoyed by this annual event.

Published in the Reserve Force Volunteer Magazine, Summer 2015.