Khoisan king visits Voortrekker Monument
The Khoisan king has finally visited the monument since living in Pretoria in 2017.
Well-known community leader, King Khoisan SA, can finally tick off the Voortrekker Monument (VTM) on his wishlist after his recent visit to the site to learn more about the Groot Trek and the history of the Afrikaners.
The leader of the Khoisan community has since 2017 been looking out over the VTM from his temporary home at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and this year he finally decided that it was time to go and explore the site himself.
“While living in Pretoria, I’ve made many Afrikaans friends and associates and one question I’m always asked is: ‘Have you been to the monument yet?’ I therefore decided it’s time to visit,” said King Khoisan as he entered the monument for the first time.
“It is wonderful to see how unbelievably well the story of the Voortrekkers is told and preserved here. This is something very close to my heart because the story of my people is something I like to share.”
VTM tourism manager Christiaan Jordaan said it was wonderful to see how different cultures in South Africa also buy into the story of the VTM.
“In the past, we welcomed many high-ranking visitors from other cultures here and it is truly gratifying to see that groups from other cultures would also like to learn more about the history of the Afrikaners,” Jordaan said.
In July last year, a group of tribal leaders from ROLESA (Royal Leaders of South Africa) from various South African groups visited the monument, not only to learn more but to strengthen cultural ties and celebrate the shared heritage of our country and its people.
During the unveiling of the Shawu statue in the Trek route garden in 2022, dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the royal Zulu family said he was proud that the VTM could be a cultural home for many people.
“Today I appreciate, more than ever in the past, the importance of the VTM as part of our shared cultural heritage and I believe I am not alone,” he said.
At the same event, diplomatic representative Princess Bhelekazi Mabandla of the AmaBhele kaJamangile Traditional Community who lives near Maclear in the Eastern Cape, agreed with the late dr Buthelezi. She said she would encourage anyone to visit the VTM and get to know more about our history and shared heritage.
King Khoisan SA and his people have for many years fought a fierce battle to have their culture and cultural heritage recognised. Today, almost 190 years after the Groot Trek, his visit to the VTM reminds one once more of the Voortrekkers’ ideal of freedom and their struggle to realise this dream.
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