Vibrant National Day parade impresses |04 July 2022
After two years of absence, the National Day Parade returned with more vibrancy and this time it took place along some major streets of Victoria compared to the Stad Linite venue as was the case in the past.
The National event was graced by the presence of special guest Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the President of the Republic of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan.
Minister Shakhboot was representing His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The other guests comprised the Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles Ahmed Afif and his wife Stella Afif, Speaker of the National Assembly Roger Mancienne, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ronny Govinden, the President of the Court of Appeal Antony Fernando, Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari and the members of the National Celebrations Committee, ministers, leader of government business in the National Assembly, members of the diplomatic corps, the Commissioner of Police, Ted Barbe, the Chief of Defence Forces, Colonel Michael Rosette and the Mayor of Victoria David Andre.
The biggest surprise of the day was when veteran Seychellois singer Keven Rath interpreted his song ‘Orevwar Union Jack’ which he composed and sang on June 29, 1976 when the ‘Union Jack’ went down and the first Seychellois flag was raised on our country’s Independence Day.
For many years the National Day Parade was held at the Stad Linite and for the first time the parade made its way to the centre of our capital, Victoria.
The Parade started its march from the ‘Stad Popiler’ along ‘Rue Pierre de Possession’. It made its way towards the Clock Tower and proceeded along the Independence Avenue. Upon reaching the Constitution Avenue, it turned right and marched to the ‘Stad Popiler’ where it ended.
As has been the case in previous years, the Parade comprised local and foreign military forces, the Seychelles Police Force, the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency and Youth Organisations falling under the Seychelles National Youth Council. They were accompanied by the National Brass Band, led by Band Master Nilsen Ernest and Band Major Brian Larue. Participating alongside the National Brass Band this year were the members of the Indian Navy.
Before the parade, Reverend Danny Elizabeth, chairman of the Seychelles Inter-Faith Council, delivered a blessing.
Platoons
The parade comprised 20 platoons of men and women in uniform and youths from various youth organisations in Seychelles. It also comprised a display of 17 assets of our security forces.
The Parade Command is composed of: The Parade Commander, Major Daniel Rosine; Second in Command, Captain Julio Hoareau, and the Parade Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 2, Richard Larue.
The ‘Flag Guard’ was under the command of Captain Ivel Ernesta and the first Unit was from the General Staff of the Forces of Defense of the Seychelles. It was led by the Lieutenant Michael Payet. The Flag Bearer was the Sergeant Chief, Louis Mary.
The second and third units were from the Coast Guards of the Seychelles. They were led by Second Lieutenant Sebastien Radegonde and Second Lieutenant Ryan Benstrong.
The fourth and fifth platoons were from Seychelles Air Force and Special Forces Unit under the command of Second Lieutenant Ryan Mussard and Second Lieutenant Daniel Agnes.
They were followed by the sixth platoon from the Recruit Training Centre under the command of Second Lieutenant Jean Yves Rose and the seventh platoon from the Indian Navy under the command of Lieutenant Commander Tushar Kaushik.
The eighth unit was from the Regular Police led by Sub Inspector Andrew Sinon and the Flag Bearer was Sergeant Richard Larue.
The ninth and tenth platoon were from ‘Public Order & Tactical Response Unit’ under the command of Sub-Inspector Hubert Oreddy and women from the Regular Police Force under the command of Sergeant Martina Dugasse.
The eleventh platoon was of Police Recruits under the command of Recruit Petra Richard and the twelfth platoon was from the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency under the command of Sergeant Hezron Jean. The Flag Bearer was Sergeant Richard Moncherry.
The thirteenth and fourteenth units were from the Seychelles National Youth Council led by Ermisha Dialoo and Nyla Asba. The Flag Bearer was Eve Calm.
The fifteenth and sixteenth units were composed of members of the Young Citizens organization. They are driven by Houssein Cedras and Joshua Anderson.
Seventeenth and eighteenth platoons were from ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme and the flag bearer was Rya Barbe under the command of Cyril Dina and Grace Holder.
The two last platoons, nineteenth and twentieth were from Seychelles Scouts Movement under the command of Stanio Arisol. The flag bearer was Asanti Albert.
Display of assets
The new element on the programme of the National Day Parade this year was the display of assets of the Seychelles Police Force, the Seychelles Defence Forces, and the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency.
Asset 1: The first group of assets were from the Seychelles Police Force: two Honda Motorcycles from the Traffic Section. These motorcycles are used for VIP escort and to help with traffic management. They were donated to the government of the Republic of Seychelles by the government of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Asset 2: TATA Storm Jeep from the Traffic Section. The TATA Jeep is a donation from the government of the Republic of India. It is equipped with alarm, radio and GPS System. It is used to perform daily police duties.
Asset 3: A support vehicle for the scientific section of the Bureau of Seychelles Police Investigations
Asset 4: a YAMAHA Jet Ski, towed by a Maritime Police vehicle. The Seychelles Maritime Police relies heavily on equipment such as the Jet Ski to accomplish its missions of monitoring in inland waters, especially for drug trafficking operations. The Jet Ski is also used to carry out patrols regular operations, search and rescue missions, and environmental protection patrols.
Asset 5: A Jeep Dong Feng Ground Forces. It is a specialized vehicle, used by the Seychelles Defence Forces for the transport of medical personnel and paramedics, particularly in support of official visits and other medical support tasks.
Asset 6: Drone from the Seychelles Air Force used in research and rescue mission
Asset 7: Single Barrel Anti Air-Craft Gun, 14.5 millimetre. This is used against military planes of potential aggressors.
Assets 8 and 9:Two Military Police Vehicles mounted with a 7.62 mm Medium Machine Gun and towing a 14.5 mm four-barrel Anti-Aircraft Gun. The 7.62 mm Medium Machine Gun is used against enemy troops, light armored targets and aerial targets. The 14.5 mm four-barrel Anti-Aircraft Gun is intended for combat against armoured surface, coast and air targets. It can be mounted on decks of boats and can defeat surface and coast targets with a range of 3,000 meters horizontally and 2,000 metres vertically against low flying planes.
Asset 10: A 14.5 mm four-barrel Anti-Aircraft Gun, towed by a Dong Feng jeep of the Seychelles Defence Forces is the last in this series.
Asset 11: From Coast Guard a rigid hull inflatable boat
Asset 12: ASIS a fibre glass boat to be used to assist with boarding
Asset 13: From the Seychelles Coast Guard is a SEASPRAY 7 Metres Fast Response Boat powered by two 200 Horse-Power Outboard engines.
Asset 14: From the Seychelles Coast Guard a Metal Shark Fast Response Boat. The boat is being towed by a vehicle of the Seychelles Coast Guard. The boat is 27 metres in length and was donated by the US government.
Asset 15: From the Fire and Rescue Services Agency – A Fire Truck – ‘Scania Aerial Ladder Platform’. The Truck weighs 26 tons. It is 3.75 metres high and 10 metres long. It is equipped with a ladder with a maximum load of 4 people and measures 32 metres when fully extended. It is used for fire and rescue services rendered to high-rise buildings.
Asset 16: From the Fire and Rescue Services Agency – a fire truck weighing 19.5 tons. It is 2.8 metres tall and 8.5 metres long. It has a water capacity of 2750 litres and is used for wrestling against fires in specialized structures.
Asset 17: A fire truck with a Scania Water tanker weighing 8.8 tons and water storage capacity with 10000 litres.
The National Parade ended with a fusion of the Seychelles National dances with a modern touch performed by 250 youths of the Seychelles National Youth Council.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the Natonal Day Parade and accompanying eevents.
More photos of the event can be seen in our centre pages.
Vidya Gappy and Marla Simeon
