Freedom Park

Increasingly we like to take visitors to a place called Freedom Park. Situated in Pretoria this national heritage site is an attempt to reflect that which has shaped South Africa and why it is what it is today.

A visit to Freedom Park (according to the brochure) is intended to be a liberating, spiritually cleansing and inspirational experience: a pilgrimmage to dispel the myths and prejudices that have concealed and distorted the image and achievements of South Africa.


In 1999 Nelson Mandela said, "...the day should not be far off, when we shall have a people's shrine, a Freedom Park, where we shall honour with all the dignity they deserve, those who endured pain so we should experience the joy of freedom"

To the right, and below, is S'khumbuto (SiSwati). It is a place of celebration - a tribute to African and human dignity.

The eternal flame invites visitors to remember those unremembered who have given their lives for freedom.

This memorial stands as a testimony to eight major conflicts that have shaped South Africa: pre-colonial wars, slavery, genocide, wars of resistance, the first and second world wars, and the struggle for liberation. To date some 80,000 names have been inscribed onto the these walls with room for 150,000.

The gallery of leaders is an indoor space reserved to showcase leaders whose contributions stand out in human history - nationally, continentally and internationally and inviting us to emulate the best of those who have shown us a new way to move forward.

Isivivane (to the left) is taken from isiZulu and isiXhosa and represents a sacred space - the spiritual resting place for those who played a part in the freedom and liberation of South Africa. The boulders are representative from each of the nine provinces. Soil was brought from from areas where conflicts occurred to create a symbolic environment where the spirits of those departed could be released and laid to rest.


Freedom Park stands as a beacon to guide South Africans on the route of hope to a united nation. It urges one to appreciate the history that has shaped this land and to learn about a shared heritage. In this it attempts to celebrate unity in diversity.

As noted in the brochure handed out when entering, "The deep wounds that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission revealed remain, unfortunately, the scar tissue that forms the fiber of our society today. It is also our unfortunate realilty that we have still not reached agreement on our past. Freedom Park therefore guides the nation on a healing route through ongoing dialogues and interpretation so that we can reach understanding and compassion for one another."