South African Air Force Memorial

The South African Air Force Memorial is a memorial to South African Air Force (SAAF) members who have died whilst in service of the South African Air Corps and its successor, the South African Air Force from 1915 to the present during times of war and times of peace. The memorial is located on Bays Hill in Swartkop outside Pretoria and overlooks Air Force Base Swartkop, the first air force base of the SAAF. An annual memorial service is traditionally held here in May.The memorial was unveiled 1 September 1963 by State President of South Africa, Charles Robberts Swart. The unveiling ceremony was attended by 5000 people.HistoryDuring 1945, the SAAF Association undertook to bear all costs for the erection and maintenance of the Memorial. The National Executive Committee of the SAAF Association decided in April 1949 to proceed with fund-raising. The total projected budget for the erection was R3,000. The NEC recorded its requirements at a resolution taken on 7 December 1949. The Pretoria Branch of the Association was then approached to have the Memorial erected and inaugurated on May 31, 1950. A sub-committee consisting of Col HB George, Jock Reid and RF Bell (convener) was appointed. Other members who became closely involved in various capacities were Normie MacRobert, Dr John Leppan, Reg Dennett, and Dave Hastie.An architectural design competition, run by the Institute of South African Architects, attracted 38 entries and one of these was selected as the design for the SAAF memorial. Construction commenced in October 1962 and was completed within 11 months at a cost of R16,000 for the reinforced foundation and R57,000 for the memorial itself. The construction costs were partially funded by donations from British Aerospace Limited and the Society of British Aircraft Constructions Limited.