VOORTREKKER MONUMENT

This monument was constructed in remembrance of the (Afrikaaner's) Voortrekker's Great Trek

from Cape Town to the Transvall providence in northern South Africa. This epic adventure is on

par with the opening up of the western United States as well as the Mormon Pioneer Trek to the

Rocky Mountains.

The comparisons are in the abundant examples of religious rectitude, violent conflict, disaster, hope 

and despair. Their characters were similar, displaying resourcefulness, perseverance when 

necessary together with an overarching belief in their actions and the unconditional support of the

Almighty.

This monument is equivalent to the "This is the Place Monument" for our pioneers.

Voortrekker Day is on December 16th.  In the top dome of the structure is a hole that allows the sun to shine down to the floor and lights up this cenotaphy at exactly 12:00 noon.  It is a big event in South Africa, especially for the Afrikaaners.

On the outside of the building at each corner is a statue of those great men who lead the trek northward.In order: Andreis Pretorius, Hendrik Potgieter, Voortrekker and  Piet Retief.  Each of these men were instrumental in negotiating the settlements of the Transvall land with the Zulus who  later killed by the natives.

On the inside of the monument is a sculptured pictorial motif depicting the events of the trek, the settlement and subsequent massacre by the Zulu's and the settlement of political power with the British.

After many raids on Pretoria in and around 1896, President Paul Kruger decided to construct forts for protection, eight in total.  Fort Schanskop was completed in 1897 and was built in such a way as to avert possible attacks on Pretoria from the railway line, the natives, and the British coming from Johannesburg. The British finally occupied the fort in 1900 but was returned to the South African Union Government in 1922 and was sued by the Defense Force for reconnaissance purposes.

Both the Voortrekker Monument and the Fort are located adjacent to each other on the highest hill in Pretoria.