INLSA

Warona Seane, middle, performs a scene from The Sinking of the Mendi, a play at the Baxter, during a memorial service commemorating the 1917 sea disaster at UCT yesterday.

STAFF REPORTER

THE sinking of the troopship SS Mendi, one of the worst marine disasters in SA history, was commemorated yesterday at UCT with a memorial service.

Hosted by the Cape Garrison Artillery, it honoured the 617 men who died at sea on their way to fight in World War I aboard the troopship.

The Mendi sank in just 20 minutes south of the Isle of Wight on February 21, 1917, having sailed from Cape Town en route to Le Havre in France.

The troops on the ship belonged to the then Fifth Battalion SA Native Labour Contingent.

On board were 805 black privates, 22 white officers and a crew of 33.

The 4 000-ton Mendi was rammed by the 11 000-ton liner SS Darro in foggy conditions.

The Mendi has also given its name to SA’s highest award for courage, the Order of the Mendi Decoration for Bravery, which is awarded by the president.

A new production, Did We Dance: Ukutshona ko Mendi (The Sinking of the Mendi), will be performed at the Baxter Theatre from Thursday to March 10 at 7 every night.