Voortrekker Monument & Nature Reserve

A visit to the striking Voortrekker Monument is a near spiritual experience for many Afrikaners. It was constructed between 1938 and 1949 – a time of great Afrikaner nationalism – to honour the journey of the Voortrekkers, who trekked north over the coastal mountains of the Cape into the heart of the African veld. It pays tribute in particular to the Battle of Blood River on 16 December 1838, during which 470 Boers, under the command of Andries Pretorius, defeated approximately 12,000 Zulus, killing many of them.

A visit to the striking Voortrekker Monument is a near spiritual experience for many Afrikaners. It was constructed between 1938 and 1949 – a time of great Afrikaner nationalism – to honour the journey of the Voortrekkers, who trekked north over the coastal mountains of the Cape into the heart of the African veld. It pays tribute in particular to the Battle of Blood River on 16 December 1838, during which 470 Boers, under the command of Andries Pretorius, defeated approximately 12,000 Zulus, killing many of them.

Its inauguration in 1949 was attended by 250,000 people. It remains a powerful symbol of the ‘white tribe of Africa’ and its historical relationship to South Africa.

The edifice is surrounded by a stone wall carved with 64 wagons in a traditional defensive laager (circle). The building itself is a huge stone cube and each corner bears the face of a great Afrikaner hero. Inside is a huge space with a high domed ceiling and a marble frieze telling the story of the trek (not exactly the whole story – everyone appears to be white – except those being trampled under foot). On 16 December a shaft of light falls on the words Ons vir jou, Suid Afrika (We for thee, South Africa). A staircase and elevator lead to the roof and a great panoramic view of Pretoria and the highveld.

In the basement there is a small museum that depicts the lives of the pioneers through models, mock-ups (including a great big pioneer wagon) and information panels.

The monument is 3km south of the city and is clearly signposted from the N1 freeway. It is surrounded by a 340-hectare nature reserve full of zebra,s wildebeests, bucks and other small mammals.