Local company makes history with Hani memorial
Rynfield-based BW Design Consulting Architects are the brains behind the Chris Hani Memorial, which was officially opened in Boksburg on April 10, on the anniversary of his death.
Lynette Weitz, from BW Design, said it was an honour and privilege to have worked on such a magnificent project.
The initial design was started in 2013.
“We spent hours researching Hani’s life, both personal and professional, as well as what he stood for and his involvement in helping to form a new South Africa,” she said.
The site, located in the Thomas Nkobi Memorial Park, in Boksburg, consists of a wall of remembrance, walk of remembrance, the Chris Hani Memorial and the information desk.
“The wall of remembrance and Chris Hani Memorial are placed directly opposite one another, serving as a single, interconnected memorial to the legacy of struggle veterans and leaders,” said Weitz.
The wall is also seen as a celebration of the lives of South Africans’ who struggled for the nation of humanity.
There is a concrete podium that is elevated to give the heroes appropriate recognition and pay tribute to their sacrifice.
“Three glass boxes are placed on a podium, as symbols of democracy, transparency and inclusivity,” Weitz explained.
“The names of all the fallen heroes are sand blasted on the glass wall and visitors are invited to walk around the glass boxes and share in the history of the heroes who helped shape the new political site.”
The walk of remembrance has a circular shape that symbolizes the circle of life and circular paths taken by all heroes.
Weitz said the Chris Hani Memorial concentrates on the life of the man and celebrates his far-reaching political legacy.
“Hani’s political ideals included, among other things, democracy, transparency and inclusivity; these principles are expressed in the architectural elements and forms of the memorial,” she added.
The memorial forms part of a circle, to symbolises unity, equality and inclusion.
There are four concrete columns, that represent the four pillars underpinning the struggle.
Wietz said the shape of the pillars is significant in its reference to the wild Gladiolus.
“These flowers are endemic to the Transkei, the birth place of Chris Hani,” she said.
BW Design hopes the structure will be seen as a memorial to all the fallen heroes who gave their lives helping to establish a new South Africa.
“South Africans should be aware and proud of their history,” said Weitz.
Important contributors to the project included Eddie Coetzee (project manager), Michlaclan du Plooy (quantity surveyor) and Mokala Engineering, as the contractor.
