Historic submarine museum opens its doors in Simon's Town

THE historic SAS Assegaai Submarine has officially opened to the public as a museum in Simon's Town, following a special ceremony last week.

- ERIN CARELSE

The event, held at the new permanent site near the NSRI Station 10 building, celebrated the work of Naval Heritage Trust (NHT) volunteers, the South African Navy, and donors who helped make the project possible. The Assegaai was moved overland in July 2024 no small feat, considering the submarine is 58 metres long and weighs nearly 700 tonnes.

Guests included Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the SA Navy, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, former and current submariners, donors, and members of the public.

Lobese spoke about the importance of submarines in naval history.

"From the moment the first submarine was commissioned, naval warfare changed," he said.

"Submarines have served as silent tools of diplomacy and defence. They've navigated the darkest depths and often stood as our final line of defence."

He said the Assegaai is now "a symbol of pride and honour" to those who served aboard her, and praised the NHT for preserving South Africa's maritime heritage.