Pretoria – South Africans will now get an opportunity to meet Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Anton Muziwakhe Lembede, Yusuf Dadoo, Charlotte Maxeke and Solomon Tshekiso Plaatje, among others, thanks to the newly launched Heritage Monument.
The newly launched monument, situated in the Groenkloof Reserve, displays 56 life-size bronze statues of heroes and heroines who resisted oppression during South Africa’s struggle.
Known as the Long Walk to Freedom, when the monument is complete with the remaining 344 statues, it will reflect the country’s journey from the pre-colonial era to the early wars of dispossession and the entire liberation struggle.
“It will be a complex chronicle of our long walk to freedom. It will tell the story that many men and women paid a supreme sacrifice to bring freedom in our land. It will tell the story that our freedom was not free,” said Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Tuesday.
Among the 56 well-known struggle heroes and heroines statues already placed at the monument include Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Anton Muziwakhe Lembede, Yusuf Dadoo, Pixley Isakaseme, Charlotte Maxeke, Solomon Tshekiso Plaatje, Alexander Simons, Josie Mpama, Dr Johannes Van Der Kemp and King Mzilikazi Khumalo.
Unveiling the statues, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said the South African story has been one dimensional and through the heritage monument, they are correcting that by giving a full picture of the country’s history.
“The long march to freedom has to start somewhere. We are writing our own story and it is important that we do that because we have to tell the world how we reached 27 April 1994. The resistance of these leaders is going to be depicted through these pictures,” Minister Mthethwa said.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of educating each other and knowing our history, whether it’s good or bad.
The Minister said the billion rand monument will become a major tourist attraction, as well as a massive educational centre that any person anywhere in the world would go to when they want to know about South African history.
“It’s going to be a major tourist attraction but also an area where a nation would be able to reflect so that we are able to plan for our future.”
The remaining statues, which are currently being made, are expected to take not more than three years. – SAnews.gov.za
