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The sound of jets soaring through the skies of the city often elicits gasps and cheers from the public, but in this case, it prompted an outcry from residents in Table View, Milnerton and surrounds, saying it did more harm than good.
The reason for the jet fly-past was the annual State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Thursday in Cape Town, where the South African Air Force (SAAF) held a fly-past as part of the Opening of Parliament.
Some residents say the noise level was too extreme while others say they enjoyed the fly-past.
Lionel Potter, a local of Sunset Beach, said he lost his pet due to the noise.
“One moment she was here and the next gone as soon as the jets flew over,” he said.
Potter adopted Sammy, a 3-year-old cat, after she was injured in a hit-and-run a year ago. He nursed her back to health and decided to keep her when she recovered.
“I was never someone for pets, but after saving Sammy’s life my whole perspective changed,” he said.
Potter said he was sitting in his study last week when the jets flew over, and he ran outside.
“I immediately ran to Sammy, as she is noise sensitive after the accident,” he told TygerBurger. “By then it was too late and she had jumped the fence.”
Potter said he waited until the following morning for Sammy to return, but she never did.
“I’m just gutted! I’ve looked everywhere for her and she is just gone.”
Complaints
Other residents also took their concerns of the damage the fly-past had caused their pets to social media. They argued that it was a total waste of taxpayers’ money and an unnecessary event.
However, others say they enjoyed the fly-past and the public should take the necessary precautions, especially when they know their pets are sensitive to noises. Said one Facebook post: “My dog wanted to chase the jets and jumped up and down. I understand how frustrated the community is, but rather leave your pets inside during the fly-past.”
TygerBurger reached out to Miceala Koeries, the Ysterplaat Air Force Base media liaison, who said the base received complaints about the noise levels.
“The jets have all returned to Limpopo 2 Squadron, where they are based, Air Force Base Makhado. We received complaints as well. We will work together better in the future to release a warning.”
More about the fly-past
Operated by 2 Squadron, the premier fighter squadron of the SAAF based at Air Force Base Makhado in the Limpopo province, a single-seat C model and a dual-seat D model made the journey from their temporary base at OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg to the Western Cape.
The SONA took place on Thursday 8 February at the Cape Town City Hall, erstwhile site of parliamentary sittings. As is traditional for the occasion, the SAAF conducts a fly-past over the venue.
While the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II trainers from nearby AFB Langebaanweg have often been summoned for this role, this year the SAAF decided to amplify the event with added flair.
The two Gripen aircraft were set to form up with a BAE Systems Hawk trainer from the Test Flight and Development Centre (TFDC) based at AFB Overberg in the Southern Cape, creating an impressive formation that soared over the City Bowl at approximately 18:50.
During their detachment to the Cape, the pilots from 2 Squadron were also anticipated to conduct additional training sorties across the Western and Southern Cape, allowing maximum value to be derived from their visit to Cape Town.
