Media Alert: Minister Marais To Mark 100 Years Since 1st Two Minutes Of Silence

On Monday, 14 May 2018 Anroux Marais, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, will together with representatives from Cape Town museum and the South African Naval Museum, commemorate the centenary of the observation of two minutes of silence with a special firing ceremony of the noon day gun.

On 14 May 1918, Cape Town Mayor Harry Hands (who lost his son in World War 1 in 1918), led the observance of what was first a 3 minute silence in Adderley Street at noon, signaled by the Noon Day Gun.  Armistice Day is now marked annually on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11:00. This is still being observed, nationally and internationally, as a time to pay respect to all those who died for a cause, regardless of culture or creed.

As Cape Town marks 100 years since the start of this short solemn ceremony, it is an opportunity to remember all those who died in the many conflicts/wars that have claimed the lives of fellow South Africans.

Members of the public should be informed that there will be a volley of shots fired from the noon day gun on Monday, 14 May at 12:04 in commemoration of this day.

All media are invited to attend this ceremony.

Date: 14 May 2018

Time: 11:00

Venue: Noon day Gun, Lion Battery