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Voortrekker Monument

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MiriamMannak
MiriamMannak
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Voortrekker Monument

  • January 5, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by MiriamMannak from Cape Town, South Africa
Voortrekker Monument

One of the most hideous constructions I have seen so far – in my life, that is – is without a doubt the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. It is a massive heap of concrete and bricks was build between 1938 and 1940 on Monument Hill, just outside Pretoria, and is a tribute to the Voortrekkers. These were Dutch pioneers who had left the Cape Province between 1835 and 1854 in thousands, to escape British control. They were seeking an independent state further up in South Africa, far away from British rule.

The monument particularly commemorates those Voortrekkers who were involved in the Battle At Blood River on December 16 1838. On that day a group of 470 Voortrekkers defeated a 12 000 men strong Zulu army on the Ncome river in KwaZulu-Natal. It is said that only three Voortrekkers were wounded in contrast with over 3000 dead Zulu warriors. Their blood coloured the river, which received the name Blood River, blood red. From that day, 16th of December was called ‘Day of The Vow’.

It is here where the monument becomes interesting. Every year on December de 16th at noon, through an opening in the arched roof, a ray of sun, shines onto the middle of the Cenotaph where the words ‘Ons Vir Jou Suid Afrika’ ('We for thee, South Africa'). It is on this day when Afrikaners (South Africans from Dutch decent) from all over South Africa flock to the Voortrekker Monument to commemorate the Battle at Blood River and to make a stance for their own identity, their ‘Afrikaner-hood’. Apparently, some of them come with ox wagons and dressed up in traditional farmer clothing, similar to the clothes their ancestors wore back in the days.

Many Afrikaners feared that, when South Africa became a democracy in 1994, their monument was doomed. Just like they thought they were doomed, fearing the repercussions of the apartheid regime and institutionalized racism and discrimination. Their fear proved to be futile. The only thing that did change is that December 16 is no longer called Day of the Vow. It is now called Reconciliation Day.

From journal Weekend trip to Pretoria

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