Nelson Mandela stood before South Africa in 1999, envisioning a shrine where all those who sacrificed their lives in the fight for freedom would be honoured. Now, two decades later, such a monument breathes atop the nation's capital. Perched on the Salvokop slope in Pretoria, Freedom Park takes people on a journey of remembrance, reconciliation, and introspection while telling the complex and compelling story of Africa.
The chapter opens at the bottom of Mveledzo, a path that meanders throughout the site. The incline is a testament to the uphill battle fought for liberation. Arriving at the peak, visitors enter S'khumbuto, the central memorial. In the ceremonial amphitheatre, 162 metal reeds sprout from rippling green lawns, while a flame for the fallen heroes burns. But who are they? From national leaders Steve Biko and Chris Hani to influential authors Alan Paton and Dalene Matthee, the 697-metre long Wall of Names pays homage to the thousands of people who dedicated their lives to end the country’s major conflicts.
The spiral path continues to Isivivane, a sacred resting place for these historical figures. Visitors of all faiths and origins remove their shoes and hats in reverence, and cleanse their hands before entering Lesaka. This burial ground is encircled with nine boulders dug out from significant sites in each province, with two more included to represent the national government and international community. A bench built around a sacred uMlahlankosi tree is an ideal spot to meditate, reflect or simply sit. According to tradition, the branches of these trees are used to transport the spirits of the deceased back home. Dotted throughout the surrounding sanctuary, they beckon people to delve into local spirituality and set ancestral souls free.
At //hapo, the museum named after the Khoi word for ‘dream’, the plot unfolds. Africa’s tale is told in seven epochs. The educational centre reveals the continent's cultural and historical voyage from earth’s primeval beginnings, through colonisation and industrialisation, right up to present-day democracy. Local artists have employed modern technology in installations and exhibitions to bring ancient artefacts, indigenous knowledge, and historical documents to life. Vivid storytelling invites people to dig deep into their roots and unearth their multifaceted identity.
As we celebrate our maturing democracy, we must remember and honour those who struggled to secure our liberation. Freedom Park allows us to reflect on our diverse heritage and common humanity. Here, we discover the story of our past, and open a new chapter of freedom for the future.
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