Pretoria - Thousands of people are expected to descend on the Voortrekker Monument on Tuesday for the annual remembrance of the former day of the vow.
December 16 has since been renamed Reconciliation Day, but for those who still hold dear the history of the Afrikaners, it is a day associated with their struggle and heritage and the monument symbolises that.
It used to be known as Dingaan’s Day after the battle of Blood River in which the Voortrekkers triumphed over the Zulu army in 1838.
Today, the monument expects 5 000 visitors. The gates will open at 7am and later in the day there will be religious devotions.
The highlight of on Tuesday’s activities at the monument – designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk – will be at noon when the sun’s rays shine through the open roof of the monument’s upper dome on to the cenotaph in the centre of the interior of the imposing building. The light will shine on the words “Ons vir jou Suid-Afrika” (We for thee South Africa).
Christo Rabie, the monument’s educational services manager, said December 16 refers mainly to the conflict of the past and the post-1994 urge to reconcile the country’s differences. The monument also supports governmental imperatives of nation building and social cohesion.
The staff believe that respect for other cultures comes with knowledge and understanding.
Rabie says cultural tourism is the major tourist attraction. “Foreigners seek to find information on our cultural groups and their past histories. The monument has four different levels and remains the major important attraction on the site,” he said.
The Voortrekker Monument is a unique structure which memorialises the intimate history of Southern Africa and the history of Afrikaner.
Rabie said that the cenotaph was a symbolic grave which reminded them of the people before them who contributed their lives, efforts and dedication to South Africa.
The Voortrekker Monument is the second most visited heritage site in South Africa after Robben Island, with about 250 000 visitors a year.
About 40 percent of the visitors are South Africans and more than half of the school groups are from townships.
Pretoria News