Ahh, our national defence force surely has many hidden talents, including a very adept rendition of Barry Manilow's Copa Cabana ("Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl ...") That tribute to an ageing entertainer was just one of the not-so-traditional songs played outside the National Assembly by the military band ahead of Minister of Defence Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota's budget speech.

The "amaSANDF 24/7" - South African National Defence Force 24 hours seven days a week, for the uninitiated - pulled out all the stops: the public gallery was filled with men and women in uniform and posters displayed in the Old Assembly lobby - just in case any MP might not be aware of what the defence force is supposed to do, apart from playing funky music, that is!

With acknowledgements to Krisjan Lemmer and Mail & Guardian.