South Africa Guide
Gauteng
The Voortrekker Monument
Opening time: Daily 8am–6pm
Price: R30
Website: www.voortrekkermon.org.za
Address: On the R101 toward Johannesburg
For many years an ominous symbol of Afrikaner domination, the Voortrekker Monument is now generally accepted as one of South Africa's many cultural waypoints, and a visit does allow you some penetrating insights into the Afrikaner mindset. The striking, austere block of granite was built in 1940 to commemorate the Boer victory over the Zulu army at Blood River on December 16, 1838, and its symbolism is crushingly heavy-handed. The monument is enclosed by reliefs of ox wagons, with a large statue of a woman standing outside, shaking her fist at imaginary oppressors. Inside, a series of moving reliefs depicts scenes from the Great Trek. Outside, hidden by some trees, are two pint-sized replicas of the huts of Zulu kings Dingane and Cetshwayo.
The monument is set within a small nature reserve which has various hiking and mountain-bike trails, leading to lookout points over Pretoria and the surrounding countryside. You can also explore the reserve on a pony trek (book in advance on t012 323 0682).