Cadets from Krugersdorp have unique South African Navy experience

Lieutenant Lisa Spencer

in TS Rook Posted on

19/08/2023 18:00

On 23 June 2023, 8 Sea Cadets from TS Rook in Krugersdorp were selected join 80 other cadets from throughout South Africa to attend a 14-day training camp at SAS Saldahna, theSouth African Navy’s training unit in the Western Cape.

Before leaving they endured Kit Musters, “Square” Bed Making exercise, Ironing and Sewing lessons and horror stories of no sleep, inspections and PT were told to ensure they were prepared for what lay ahead. But were they really prepared?

Arriving at the bus, the excitement was evident. Some had packed a week ago, some hadn’t slept, all had enough “padkos: to feed the whole navy. They had an 18-hour road trip ahead. Messages and photos were sent to parents throughout the trip.

Arriving in Cape Town they were met by cold, windy, wet weather. But wait, there was still the 2-hour trip to Saldahna Bay ahead. Eventually at 16h00, 30 hours after leaving Gauteng they arrived safely. Bags were checked for contraband, cellphones handed in, dormitories and beds allocated and most importantly dinner was ready. The camp had started...

For the next 12 days the cadets were given an introduction to what it is like to be a recruit in the South African Navy. The days were long, the food was good and team work was a necessity.

Before the cadets could participate in any water activities, they had to be taught the basics of water safety and life jacket use. The cadets had to overcome their fear of heights, fear of water (many cannot swim) and the cold, by learning how to wear a life jacket, to trust the life jacket and then to finally jump off the jetty into the freezing sea. Every cadet did it at least once.

This mastered, the cadets went on to learn how to build a 20-man raft from wooden planks and barrels, ensuring they used the correct knots so the raft didn’t fall apart. Other waterborne activities included boat pulling, sailing, manning an emergency life raft, and using the jackstay, simulating the process of moving sailors between 2 ships on a “foofy” slide. These all required teamwork and trust in each other in order to do things safely.

Cadets pride themselves on their smartness, and there is nowhere where it is needed more than doing parade work. All movements need to be done precisely in time to ensure that a large group of people can move as one. Parade work takes a lot of discipline and concentration, but done correctly is extremely impressive to watch. One of the daily ceremonies the cadets took part in, was “Colours”. This is a naval tradition where the National Flag and Naval Ensign are raised, always at 08h00.

Other activities which the cadets took part in, were First Aid, Fire Fighting, Navigation, Rope work, Piping (the art of passing instructions using a Bosuns Call) and public speaking. There was a “route march” (hike) where cadets were taught about snakes, spiders and other nasties found in the area.

A highlight for the cadets from TS Rook was the visit to the Naval Base in Simonstown, where they saw the South African Navy Ships up close. They also had the opportunity to visit the Castle of Good Hope, and experienced what it would be like to be locked in the cold wet dungeon.

Of course, true to the horror stories there were the early morning PT sessions, the washing, ironing and cleaning, followed by the dreaded inspections, late night duty watch and even a beach “party”. The reports about the food were that as promised, Navy food is great.

The final exercise for the cadets was a passing out parade. The cadets were afforded the “freedom of the city” as they marched through the streets of Saldahna, drawing much applause from the crowds who came out to watch them. This was followed by a formal parade on the formidable SAS Saldahna Parade Ground. The cadets displayed their teamwork and precision as they were inspected and then marched past the dignitaries from both the South African Navy and the Sea Cadet Corps who were in attendance. Cadets were recognized for their individual achievements during the camp.

AND

Just like that, it was over. The excitement turned to sadness as cadets said goodbye to their new friends, those who had experienced the highs and lows with them and had come out stronger on the other side.

On their return, I asked the question “Was it like we had said it would be?” The answer “Lieutenant the horror stories you told us were not true, it was much worse”.

HOWEVER

The question on all their lips... When is the next camp?

Lieutenant (SCC) LAV Spencer

Officer Commanding TS Rook

TS Rook was opened in 2015 and is based in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. The Officer Commanding the unit is Lieutenant Lisa Spencer, a former Sea Cadet of the Year. Lieutenant Spencer was recognised as Officer Commanding of the Year and the Training Ship was awarded Unit of the Year for 2022.

Contact details:

Address: 2 Premier Street, Krugersdorp North

Email: tsrook.seacadets@gmail.com

Cell: 082 859 6484

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2046974555628907

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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN SEA CADETS

Cadets from Krugersdorp have unique South African Navy experience

“A highlight for the cadets from TS Rook was the visit to the Naval Base in Simonstown, where they saw the South African Navy Ships up close.”

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