Page 104 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

Catering and Entertainment

In a letter sent to all His Majesty’s ships calling at Cape Town and Simon’s Town it was
stated that a S.A.W.A.S. club and recreation rooms were available at Kalk Bay and

Muizenberg and would welcome all naval personnel. S.A.W.A.S. canteen services were
speedily and efficiently organized to handle the many recruits who came flocking to Cape

Town after war was declared and, later, the many sailors of the Royal Navy who called at
Cape Town and Simon’s Town during the war.

There were S.A.W.A.S. canteens at Kalk Bay and Muizenberg as well as Fish Hoek, and
there were two in Simon’s Town. Muizenberg S.A.W.A.S., besides running their own

canteen, served teas at Muizenberg Pavilion and helped run the canteen in a hall adjoining

Westlake Camp.

Entertaining of the Navy personnel of all ranks was one of the responsibilities of the
S.A.W.A.S. movement. Entertainment and dances were held in the Kalk Bay S.A.W.A.S.

Hall for both the South African troops stationed at the Westlake Camp and the allied
servicemen from passing convoys anchored at Simon’s Town. Servicemen hospitalized at

the Seahurst Auxiliary Military Hospital also attended these functions. The dances were

organized by the young auxiliaries of Kalk Bay and St. James. Home entertainment at Kalk
Bay and St. James was especially popular with the weary seamen who arrived in Simon’s

Town. Home cooking and comforts were sorely missed at sea and these were a refreshing
tonic for the servicemen. The Kalk Bay S.A.W.A.S. played their part and were once called

upon to entertain some 500 Nigerian seamen, whom they reported were extremely well
behaved, polite and proved most appreciative guests.

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