T/S Knysna Sea Cadets celebrate achievements
The T/S Knysna Sea Cadets gathered on the parade ground, immaculate and in top form, for the celebration of the achievements of this year's cohorts at an awards ceremony held at the T/S Knysna base on Saturday 2 December. The ceremony highlighted the cadets' excellence, pride, commitment and dedication to the organisation.
The parade commenced with the cadets performing their precision drills, followed by the first compliments and then the awarding of the various accolades. The event was not only an opportunity to award the cadets but also the officials in the rank and the parents who play a vital part in ensuring their kids' consistent dedication to the organisation.
"All the hours spent, the dedicated time for their base as well as their personal growth is truly invaluable," says Jim Parkes of Geo Parkes & Sons, one of the main sponsors of T/S Knysna Sea Cadets. "These young kids leave here having learnt responsibility, discipline, service, pride, dedication, loyalty, respect and a number of other values that will only aid them in the world out there."
Parkes also thanked the parents of the sea cadets for their hard work and for building a solid foundation for the kids.
2023 commemorated a big year for the T/S Knysna Sea Cadets. "This year marks the most achievable year for me at this base," says commanding officer Charl Lamini.
"We have achieved excellence as this year we have qualified Samsa approved, firstaid approved and firefighting-approved candidates. T/S Knysna Sea Cadets now boasts eight qualified first aiders in Level 1 and 2, through the help of Rotary Knysna.
The organisation also helped qualify six skippers, two in category E and four in category R.
They have also qualified eleven of the cadets in firefighting. These achievements further add onto the skills that the sea cadets will have once they matriculate."
T/S Knysna Sea Cadets thanks Rotary, Geo Parkes & Sons, Creative Design, Leisure Isle Festival, Head to Head, Sianne Bevan, Knysna Municipality Fire Department, Knysna Yacht Club, John Knowles, Black and White Media, Andrew Finn and Lazer Cuts for their involvement in the organisation and its success.