61 Mech | 61 Mech

Die 61 Meg Veteranevereniging is aangestel as die beskermheer van die 61 Meg militere memoribilia

Die Hoof van die Leer het die 61 Meg Veteranevereniging amptelik aangestel as die beskermheer van die 61 Meg militere memoribilia.

Hierdie items is by 1 SAI Bataljon in veilige bewaring gewees, en al hierdie items is sedertdien oorhandig aan die 61 Meg Veteranevereniging wat dit oorgeplaas het na die Nasionale Oorlogmuseum in Saxonwald, Johannesburg.

Die 61 Meg Veteranevereniging het ‘n ooreenkoms gesluit met die Oorlogmuseum om die 61 Meg memoribilia in ‘n spesiale saal uit te stal, en voorbereidings om hierdie uitstalling in plek te kry is nou in volle swang.

Preliminary planning

The staff from the museum posses a lot of experience and know how regarding the exhibition of this memorabilia, and in conjunction with them we agreed to make use of what we currently have at our disposal on the one hand, and on the other hand to implement a specific plan of action.

One of the priorities is to create a display of the uniforms of all the opposing forces, not only for the Bush War but also for the urban engagements in the townships in the 1990’s which was a totally different kind of engagement with its own unique challenges.

We want to establish a kiosk with a PC in this display room with internet access so that visitors can browse our 61 Mech website, and also join either as 61 Mech veterans or 61 Mech supporters on the spot.

This PC can also be utilized to feed different monitors with documentary films on 61 Mech and its history, covering all the periods of this unit, which will then be screened on a continuous basis during visits to this exhibition.

The other item that needs attention is the production of a large map that depicts the southern part of Angola up to Cuito Cuanavale and down to Windhoek in Namibia, where a comprehensive presentation can be created of the area affected by the Border War phase of 61 Mech.

Fund raising for the 61 Mech museum

We have received an excellent response from the 61 Mech veterans with regard to the donations that were made to fund the costs of the relocation and reconstruction of the 61 Mech memorial needle as well as the Hind memorial at the museum, and are very grateful to announce that these costs were covered in total by these generous contributions received from our 61 Mech veterans.

The 61 Mech museum committee in conjunction with the team from the museum has budgeted for an amount of R100 000 to complete the first phase of the 61 Mech museum, and the focus is to know start with a fund raising to get this first phase started as soon as possible.

Sale of copies of a print of mechanized forces in combat

The first fund raising project for the 61 Mech museum is the sale of a print of mechanized forces in combat, an illustration of which appears at the bottom of this article.

The original was painted by a 61 Mech veteran, and the size of each print will be 420 × 594 mm.

We see this as a collector’s item.

How to order your print

Each print costs R900 and can be ordered by completing the attached order form, making payment of R900 into the account of the 61 Mech Veterans Association and faxing the order form and proof of deposit to Kowie Steyn at 086 623 8160.

Thank you for your support

We as 61 Mech veterans and 61 Mech supporters can be very proud of what has been achieved so far in a very short period of time by the 61 Mech Veterans Association.

All of this would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of those of you who have bought into the ideals of the 61 Mech Veterans Association, and for that we are extremely thankful.