CAPE CANOPY PARATROOPERS ASSOCIATION

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Greetings fellow paratroopers! This is a short summary of the aims, history and running of the ‘Cape Canopy’. It must be stressed at the outset that we are a social club in which, while we have good communication with 44 Parachute Regiment and try to support their exercises and recruiting drives where possible, the Association has no military obligations at all and does not fall under any command. We obviously have to observe the regulations and etiquette required when using military premises.
 
Aims
The broad aims and ideals of the association are as follows;

•  To  keep alive the camaraderie and esprit de corps that ‘bats’ are well known for. The Canopy serves as a co-ordinating mechanism for  catching up with old friends & making new ones with whom there is a  shared experience. Many good friendships and useful business contacts have started at the Canopy. All ages have been represented, from members (some now deceased) who saw action in WWII (including Arnhem), Suez & Malaya to others that completed their jump course with the NDF. We also keep in touch with our sister  organization based in the Transvaal, LAARSA(Legion of Associated Airborne,RSA) and over the years have hosted the International Association for Airborne Veterans (IAAV, from the USA), a french para group called HNP and the     local branch of the Selous     Scouts Association.
• To give what assistance & support is within our means to members who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in difficult circumstances.
• To maintain contact with NDF paratroop units & support them where and when possible. Members have partaken in many retraining, show and recruiting jumps.
• To promote the image of the paratrooper by taking part in public events and contributing to charity both by physically helping out and making financial donations, as approved by members.

History
A group of paratroopers got together in Cape Town and generated the interest that resulted in the founding of the South African Paratroopers Association in Bloemfontein in 1982. As membership grew ‘canopies’ were started in various centres. The Cape group officially became a canopy in 1985. In the mid-eighties some Transvaal members broke away to form LAARSA. 

The end of hostilities in South Africa, and complete change in socio-economic climate due to the ‘94 elections, resulted in considerable loss of membership. The Cape Canopy, however, weathered the storm and is still going strong. Our Transvaal branches amalgamated with LAARSA. After years of floating from premises to premises as guests, we have finally been allocated our very own, which has been called ‘Drop Zone’. It is situated in the Fort Ikapa base in Goodwood.

Activities
We meet monthly at the Drop Zone, on the second Thursday, at 19.00hrs.Talks, braais, visits to places of interest and outings are organised on an occasional basis. Family & friends are welcome to most of these events. Newsletters are circulated when there is sufficient news( & when a scribe can be motivated!)

Membership
Anyone who has completed a military parachute jump course is eligible for membership. Annual subscription fees are R100. AGM’s are held at the beginning of each year, in February or March. A committee consisting of a chairman (‘Stick commander’), vice chairman, secretary and treasurer are elected every second year. Additional committee members, including barman,  are usually elected to help out where necessary with admin & log.

Apart from encouraging members to wear blazer + tie to the monthly meetings the Canopy is a casual and easy going association which we hope provides members with much amusement at extremely modest prices.