National Heritage Monument Explained

The National Heritage Monument is a group of copper statues representing anti-apartheid activists, Zulu chiefs and missionaries in Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa.^[1] The monument is meant to reflect the struggle for liberation going back into the 1600s.^[2] The project was started in 2010, but as of 2015, only has 55 statues. A total of 400^[3] to 500 statues are planned. When complete, the monument will be called "The Long March to Freedom".^[4]

History

The idea for the project came from Dali Tambo in 2010, who is also the CEO of the National Heritage Project Company. The first of the statues were unveiled in September 2015 by Nathi Mthethwa, the South African Minister of Arts and Culture.

Figures represented

• Autshumato
• Chief Tshwane
• Chief Klaas Stuurman
• Louis van Mauritius
• Dr Johannes van der Kemp
• Makhanda
• King Shaka kaSenzangakhona
• Chief David Stuurman
• Hintsa kaKhawuta
• King Dingane
• King Faku
• King Mzilikazi
• King Moshoeshoe
• Kgosi Kgamanyane Pilane
• Chief Adam Kok III
• Chief Sandile kaNgqika
• King Sekhukhune I
• Bishop John Colenso
• King Cetshwayo kaMpande
• King Langalibalele
• King Makhado Ramabulana
• Chief Dalasile
• King Nyabela
• Chief Bhambatha kaMancinza
• King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo
• Saul Msane
• Olive Schreiner
• Hadji Ojer Ally
• Queen Labotsibeni Mdluli
• Alfred Mangena
• Harriette Colenso
• Solomon Plaatje
• Walter Rubusana
• Chief Kgalusi Leboho
• Charlotte Maxeke
• Dr Abdullah Abdurahman
• Thomas Mapikela
• Josiah Gumede
• John Dube
• Anton Lembede
• Mohandas Gandhi
• Selope Thema
• Sefako Makgatho
• Clements Kadalie
• Pixley Seme
• Ida Mntwana
• Alfred Xuma
• Cissie Gool
• Chief Albert Luthuli
• Zachariah Matthews
• Rev Zaccheus Mahabane
• Bram Fischer
• Jack Hodgson
• Steve Biko
• Duma Nokwe
• Solomon Mahlangu
• Josie Mpama
• Lilian Ngoyi
• Bertha Mkhize
• Griffiths Mxenge
• Ruth First
• Yusuf Dadoo
• Annie Silinga
• Victoria Mxenge
• Samora Machel
• Olof Palme
• Alan Paton
• Helen Joseph
• Rahima Moosa
• Chris Hani
• Joe Slovo
• Frances Baard
• Dorothy Nyembe
• Archbishop Trevor Huddleston
• Julius Nyerere
• Govan Mbeki
• Steve Tshwete
• Beyers Naude
• Ray Alexander
• Miriam Makeba
• Helen Suzman
• Bertha Gxowa
• Basil D'Oliveira
• Ruth Mompati
• Fidel Castro
• Albertina Sisulu
• Walter Sisulu
• Adelaide Tambo
• Oliver Tambo
• Nelson Mandela
• Desmond Tutu^{[5] [6]}

External links

• • Launch of National Heritage Monument (2015 speech)
• The National Heritage Monument Launched (video)

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Notes and References

1. News: 55 New Struggle Icon Statues Unveiled . Moatshe . Rapula . 16 September 2015 . IOL . 13 September 2016.
2. News: Mthethwa Unveils National Heritage Monument. Obuseng. Maluti. 18 September 2015. SABC. 13 September 2016.
3. News: Dali's Dream Memorial Under Fire. Bega. Sheree. 27 February 2016. IOL. 13 September 2016.
4. News: South Africa's New R1-Billion National Heritage Monument . 16 September 2015 . Business Tech. 13 September 2016.
5. Web site: McCain . Nicole . PICS 'A beautiful rendition!': Life-size bronze statue of Desmond Tutu unveiled in Cape Town . 2023-03-24 . News24 . en-US.
6. News: Siyo . Athandile . 24 March 2023 . Life-size Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu statue unveiled in Century City . IOL .