Cadets shine at SA Navy Festival
Ocean View cadets showed off their drill skills in front of thousands of spectators at the SA Navy Festival at the weekend.
After a seven-year hiatus, the event welcomed visitors from far and wide to the navy dockyard where they could see the SA Navy’s fleet, learn about maritime heritage and visit several navy ships and vessels, including a Russian ship and a Type 209 submarine belonging to the SA Navy.
The Vigis Home of Hope (VHOH) Ocean View Cadets spent their school holidays practising for the event, and they did not disappoint, according to Vasco Vigis, who manages the squad.
“They made the community extremely proud,” he said.
Athena Delcarme, who is the secretary for the cadets group and arranged for them to drill at the festival, said: “I am extremely proud of our cadets. They did an amazing job and for them to be part of the navy festival is such a huge achievement.”
The cadets’ appearance had been met with huge applause, she said.
“From the minute we got off the bus in Simon’s Town and marched into the dockyard to meet the naval staff and the Russian naval members, they received such a warm welcome, and they were applauded as they entered the arena. People were amazed at how these young children could memorise all the moves they did. Their performance was very impressive,” she said.
One of the cadets, Alex Vigis, 10, said she had enjoyed the performance.
“There were many people from different countries who came together to be happy.”
Miche Harris, 9, said: “When we were marching, I wasn’t scared to march. Usually, I’m scared to march when there is a big crowd, but with everyone in my group I was fine.”
Mr Vigis said: “It was an incredible experience for the cadets, and I want to thank the local community, businesses, and the councillors who made it possible for the cadets to attend.”
