Freedom Day 2021

Freedom Day:

Freedom Day is the commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa held on 27 April 1994. These were the first post-apartheid national elections to be held in South African where anyone could vote regardless of race. The freedom vote in South Africa was an important milestone in the county’s history.

Freedom has been fought over for many centuries all over the world. The Anglo-Boer (South African) War was one such a fight, this was an anti-colonial war fought by people who valued their freedom. With the ending of the war, the chance of regaining freedom was once again possible.

Peace Treaty of Vereeniging:

The Anglo-Boer (South African) War started in 1899 and ended in 1902. This was a devastating war for all involved, but especially the Black and White women and children who were living in the concentration camps. Already in March 1901 the first efforts for peace failed in Middelburg because the Boer leaders did not want to lose their countries` independence. But as the war dragged on the Bittereinders realised that the war was becoming unsustainable and the devastation of the scorched-earth and the concentration camps was cause for deep concern. There was decided in April 1902 that the republican governments would meet in Klerksdorp to discuss a peace settlement. The Boer leaders felt that elected representatives of the different commandos would make the detailed negotiations and a conference of sixty representatives was chosen with British approval at Vereeniging to discuss further proposals for peace. They then went to Pretoria to negotiate with Lord Kitchener at Melrose House. General Hertzog and General Smuts met with Lord Milner and Kitchener to settle a draft peace treaty. Because of health issues President Steyn could not attend and General de Wet became acting Free State president during this time.

On 31 May 1902, a little before midnight the two parties signed the peace treaty of Vereeniging at Melrose House in Pretoria. By 54 votes to six the representatives agreed to surrender their independence and to recognize the authority of Edward VII in return for 7 of their own proposals. Lord Kitchener declared after the signing “we are all good friends now.” After this peace treaty was signed, the war was officially over and signalled the end of the republics’ independence and also lead in a new era in South African history and politics.

The erection of the monument:

As early as 1930, the idea of a monument commemorating the peace was mentioned, but it was felt that the time was not ready yet. In 1952, with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Treaty of Vereeniging, the idea was revisited. After preliminary discussions, it was decided on 31 May 1952 in Vereeniging, to erect a memorial that would depict the moment of peace and the faith, hope and resurrection thereafter. After lengthy deliberations, a design by Coert Steynberg was accepted and approved. The unveiling of the monument took place on October 10, 1961.

Symbolism:

The monument depicts a young Boer warrior lying badly wounded on his left side. The dying figure was sculpted from blue granite; the slender but powerful abstract figure that grows from his heart is made of stainless steel, which is the symbol of spiritual purification and a spirit of steel. The two figures rest on a high pedestal. In front is a rifle, an empty Bandelier and the hat of the Boer Warrior, all in bronze. It points to the end of the war, the peace (weapon laid down), but also now to the loss of independence (the cliff). On either side of the pedestal, the coat of arms of the two republics were chiseled out. Above the hat and the wreath are the words: “Wounded but undefeated, Vereeniging 31 May 1902.”
The monument was moved to the garden in front of the Civic Centre in Vereeniging in 1986.