The Voortrekker Monument was built to honor the Voortrekkers who started to leave behind British Rule in the Cape Colony between 1835 and 1854 and with enormous courage and resolve travelled in a number of large groups inland facing many dangers and hardships along the way, in an effort to make a new and better life for themselves and their families.
This enormous monument built of Granite standing on a hill just outside Pretoria (or Tshwane as it is called today ) was designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk who envisaged a monument, describing the history as well as the significance of The Great Trek and the heroism of the Voortrekkers themselves, that would stand for a thousand years.
Its location on a hilltop makes it visible from just about any point in the city. Despite the fact that it is not a particularly attractive structure, nearly 200,000 visitors a year visit the site – about 86 % being foreign tourists. However on the 16th December each year (The anniversary of the Battle of Blood River), Afrikaans South Africans from all over the country come to the Voortrekker Monument, which is a national icon for them, to observe this date which to them is the most important in their history.
The Voortrekker monument is 40 meters high with a base of 40 meters x 40 meters. The entrance is through a wrought iron gate which leads visitors into a big laager surrounded by 64 granite ox wagons. 64 wagons were the number in the laager at the Battle of Blood River.
A Bronze sculpture, by Anton van Wouw, of a Voortrekker woman with two children is found at the foot of the monument and at each corner there are statues of Hendrik Potgieter, Piet Retief, Andries Pretorius and an “unknown Voortrekker representing the rest of the leaders.
Inside the main part of the building is the Hall of Heroes which is decorated with a magnificent Italian frieze depicting the history of this heroic journey. Access to the roof is by lift and this is well worth doing, as from the roof it is possible to see the view in all directions and on a clear day the City of Pretoria (Tshwane) is magnificent.
The Voortrekker monument is, today, one of the most visited heritage sites in Gauteng South Africa. Although it has often been regarded as a monument to apartheid, this changed after Nelson Mandela paid a visit to the monument in 2002 and today visits by local schools are enjoyed, as apartheid is now history for them and there is a lack of prejudice.
