Heritage Day cannon salute echoes over Witbank

Witbank contributed to a nationwide tribute on Heritage Day, when historic cannons were fired o recreate an age-old communication system – once used throughout the Cape Colony. 

The roar of a historic cannon echoed across the Witbank Festival grounds on 24 September when eMalahleni participated in a nationwide Heritage Day commemoration event organized by the Cannon Association of South Africa (CAOSA). 

The firing of the cannon was part of a symbolic chain fire action involving 31 cannons across South Africa. The initiative commemorated the historic Dutch signaling system for cannon calls – a system used in the 17th and 18th centuries to give warnings,to transmit orders and important messages over great distances. 

At 13:20 Yosiah Oberholster fired a 12 pound cannon while an earlier shot was fired at 13:15 when Ed Rossiter set off a 4 pounder cannon at the Balmoral concentration camp site.

The original signaling system started in the Western Cape and eventually expanded to more than 40 stations, which made it possible to transmit messages quickly across large parts of the colony. 

According to information from CAOSA, the Heritage Day chain fire aims not only to preserve South Africa’s heritage regarding front loader artillery, but also to inform the public about the country’s military and cultural history. The organization promotes the conservation, restoration and public display of historic cannons and related artefacts.

The commemorative firing also showcased black powder produced by local manufacturers, demonstrating the continued preservation of traditional cannon firing practices.