Voortrekker Monument from the front

The Voortrekker Monument stands in Pretoria, South Africa. It is a massive granite monument that can be seen from almost any location in the city. The monument, built in honour of the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony in their thousands between 1835 and 1854, was designed by the architect Gerard Moerdijk . Construction started on 13 July 1937 with a sod turning ceremony performed by descendants of some of the Voortrekker leaders. The Monument was inaugurated on 16 December 1949. Physically, the Voortrekker Monument is 40 metres high, with a base of 40 metres by 40 metres.

The total construction cost of the Monument was about £360.000, most of which was contributed by the state. A large amphitheatre, which seats approximately 20,000 people, was erected to the north-east of the Monument in 1949.

The two main points of interest in the building are the Historical Frieze and the Cenotaph Hall. The unique marble Historical Frieze is an intrinsic part of the design of the monument and is situated in the Hall of Heroes. Its 27 bas-relief panels depict the story of the Great Trek. In addition to showing the history of the Great Trek it also depicts the every day life, work methods, religious beliefs, and way of life of the Voortrekkers.

The focus point of the monument is the cenotaph. On top of the Hall of Heroes is a dome from where one can view the interior of the monument. It is through an opening in this dome that the sun shines at twelve o'clock on 16 December each year onto the middle of the cenotaph and the words 'Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika' or Afrikaans for 'We for Thee, South Africa'. The ray of sunshine symbolises God's blessing on the lives and endeavours of the Voortrekkers. December 16 was chosen as it the date in 1838 that the Battle of Blood River was fought.

Fort Schanskop , a nearby fort built by the government of the South African Republic also forms part of the Voortrekker monument complex.

External links

• Repairs to the monument to prevent water damage