Anglo-Boer War Memorial

Anglo-Boer War Memorial
Name	Anglo-Boer War Memorial
Location	Bloemfontein, South Africa
Type	War memorial
Material	Granite, Bronze
Dedicated	1913
Unveiled	1913

Anglo-Boer War Memorial. Located in the city of Bloemfontein, this monument is a prominent commemorative structure dedicated to the women and children who died in concentration camps during the Second Boer War. Often referred to as the National Women's Monument, it stands as a powerful symbol of Afrikaner national identity and loss. Its creation was championed by figures like Emily Hobhouse and inaugurated in the presence of prominent leaders such as Barry Hertzog.

Overview

The memorial serves as the central national monument to the civilian casualties of the Second Boer War, a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State. It specifically honors the estimated 26,000 Boer women and children, along with an unknown number of Black South Africans, who perished in British-run concentration camps. The initiative for its construction emerged from the Union of South Africa as an act of reconciliation and remembrance. It has since become a key site for Afrikaner cultural and historical ceremonies.

History and Dedication

The drive to build a monument began shortly after the war's end with the Treaty of Vereeniging in 1902. The influential British activist Emily Hobhouse, who had exposed the conditions in the camps, was a key advocate. A committee, which included future Prime Minister Barry Hertzog, was formed to oversee the project. The monument was unveiled on December 16, 1913, a date coinciding with the Day of the Vow, which commemorates the Battle of Blood River. The dedication ceremony was attended by a large crowd, including Louis Botha and other veterans of the Boer commandos.

Design and Features

Designed by architect Franz Gottfried and sculptor Anton van Wouw, the monument is a striking synthesis of architectural and sculptural elements. Its central feature is a 35-meter tall obelisk made of Namibian sandstone. At its base stands a bronze sculpture group by Van Wouw depicting a Boer woman holding a dying child, with a second woman looking toward the obelisk. The design incorporates symbolic elements like the laurel wreath and features inscriptions. The surrounding area includes the grave of Emily Hobhouse and the ashes of Barry Hertzog.

Location and Setting

The memorial is situated on a hill in western Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of South Africa and the former capital of the Orange Free State. The site offers a commanding view of the city and its surroundings. The monument is the centerpiece of the National Women's Memorial precinct, which also includes the Anglo-Boer War Museum, a major repository of artifacts from the conflict. This location in the Free State (province) places it in the heartland of the historical Boer republics.

Commemorative Significance

The monument holds profound significance as a site of memory for the Afrikaner people, symbolizing their suffering and resilience during the Scorched earth policy of the war. It has been a focal point for political gatherings, especially during the era of Apartheid and the rise of Afrikaner nationalism. Annual ceremonies on December 16, later known as the Day of Reconciliation, were held here. It also serves to acknowledge the often-overlooked suffering of Black South Africans in the camps.

Related Memorials

Numerous other monuments commemorate the Second Boer War across South Africa and internationally. In Pretoria, the Voortrekker Monument shares thematic links to Afrikaner heritage. The Burgher Monument in Pretoria honors fallen Boer soldiers. In the United Kingdom, the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire contains memorials to British forces. In Canberra, the Australian War Memorial includes dedications to troops from the Australian colonies who fought in the conflict.

Category:Monuments and memorials in South Africa Category:Second Boer War Category:Bloemfontein Category:1913 works