Freedom Park
Freedom Park is established on the cornerstones of human dignity, rights and freedom and reflects the sacrificial achievements of South Africa as nation.
Content:
What can be seen at Freedom Park
//hapo Museum: showcasing the history of South Africa
Freedom Park stands as a memorial for freedom and is a beacon to guide all South Africans on the route of hope and patriotism towards a proud and united nation. Freedom Park aims to give visitors a broad perspective of the history of South Africa while acknowledging all the people who struggled for humanity and freedom. It’s divided into seven different elements or areas, each with a unique theme and purpose; this includes the //hapo Museum.
The park is situated on the picturesque Salvokop, covering an area of about 52-hectares and offer many panoramic views over the City of Tshwane in all directions. It also features five individual function venues that cater to all tastes and needs. There is also an open air Amphitheatre that serves as a multi-purpose venue which can seat about 2000 people. .
What can be seen at Freedom Park
The Isivane area is a resting place for the spirits of those who died fighting for freedom and liberation in South Africa. Isivane is divided into four key components, namely the Lesaka and its boulders, the Lekgotla, water points, and the Umlahlankosi trees.
Freedom Park’s memorial S’khumbuto tells of the most important conflicts in South Africa’s history. It has many different elements, each with its own symbolism and meaning. Among them are the Wall of Names, the Amphitheatre, Eternal Flame and the Reeds.
The Wall of Names is inscribed with the names of heroes and heroines who died fighting for South Africa’s humanity and freedom during the major conflicts in its history, including genocides, World Wars, the Anglo-Boer war etc. Currently about 75 000 names have been inscribed.
For the heroes and heroines who died without their names being recorded, The Eternal Flame symbolises eternity and burns to remind visitors that there are names that will never be known.
Visible from far whether night or day, the Reeds are a prominent feature at Freedom Park. This majestic sculpture is comprised of 200 “reeds” which ascends in a spiral around the hill from the highest pole which is 32 meters in height. It signifies the rebirth of the nation as well as symbolising South Africans embracing of the future.
Reconciliation Road
On 16 December 2011, Reconciliation Day, President Jacob Zuma opened what is called Reconciliation Road. This road links the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park in Pretoria. This symbolises South Africans continuous attempts to reconcile its differences. As part of South Africa’s 2013 Women’s Month celebrations a 2 km chain of women of all races holding hands was formed along this road on 3 August 2013. By joining hands they aimed to create awareness of women’s historical struggles and their ability to come together and heal the nation.
//hapo Museum: showcasing the history of South Africa
A dream is not a dream until it’s shared by the entire community.”
This must-see museum takes visitors on a journey through time and tells the story of South Africa from 3,6 billion years ago until today. The focus does not purely lie on scientific and historical facts but gets beautifully intertwined with South Africa’s cultural and spiritual past with the aid of state of the art visual aids, interactive displays and multi-media.
The name of the museum “//hapo” means dream and is a word taken from a Khoi proverb and translates to: A dream is not a dream until it’s shared by the entire community”.
The museum is divided into seven epochs, which each consist of a large room or hall depicting a crucial stage in the history of South Africa. By means of visual and narrative forms, visitors get to engage and immerse themselves in the elements which shaped the history of the country.
Below is a breakdown of the seven epochs:
At Epoch 1: Earth a combination of science and storytelling is used. It starts back 3,6 billion years ago and showcases some of the oldest rocks and artefacts on earth. An African story of creation is breathtakingly displayed on a huge illuminating screen and is a definite must-see.
The concept of ancestors is explored at Epoch 2: Ancestor, in both a physical and spiritual manner. In the physical sense the room shows the ways in which early Africans developed a sense of control over their environment. From the spiritual side visitors can see the importance this concept has when it comes to cultural practices and ceremonies.
The history of the continent gets showcased at Epoch 3: Peopling and focuses on the different cultures that has evolved and got established on the continent and South Africa. African innovation throughout 4000 years is highlighted as well as developments in science, culture and spirituality.
At Epoch 4: Resistance and Colonisation the different effects of colonisations, the reactions and subsequent struggles get showcased and how all of this contributed to the shaping of South Africa today. Colonisation brought about forms of subjugation, separation, and exploitation. This gave rise to many conflicts, revolt and struggles.
An emphasis on labour is placed in Epoch 5: Industrialisation and Urbanisation. Here the exploitation of minerals during the colonisation period and the then creation of the African work force get attention. The focus is also on how the workers adapted and struggled to survive the onslaughts of this era.
In Epoch 6: Nationalism and Struggle, the contesting forces of white state formation, the struggle for a democratic society and how this played a role in the new South Africa, get demonstrated.
At Epoch 7: Nation Building and Continent Building the story begins during the last decade of the 20th century and one can see the transitional from apartheid to democracy. Here emphasis is placed on ways in which unity can be created and how development, of not only South Africa but the whole of Africa, can be promoted.
Visitor information
Opening times
- Seven days a week and most public holidays.
- 08:00 – 16:30
- Guided tours offered daily at 09h00, 12h00 and 15h00. Tours take between one and a half to two hours, depending on the number of visitors. Visitors can also tour the Park on their own; maps are available.
Address:
Freedom Park is situated on Salvokop Hill, Pretoria, 0001.
Entrance Fees:
Children: R 45
- Guided Tour
- Full Access to the Park
- Educational Programmes
Pensioners/Disabled: R 45
- Guided Tour
- Full access to the Park
- Parking
Adults: R 65
- Guided Tour
- Self Guided Tour
- Full access to the Park
- Parking
Overseas Visitors: R 150
- Guided Tour
- Self Guided Tour
- Full access to the Park
- Parking
Contact Details
Telephone: 012 336 4000
Official Home Page of Freedom Park
| Pretoria Museums |
Related Articles
Book your accommodation right here on ShowMe.
You can find the top hotels, lodges and Airbnb establishments conveniently placed on the map below. All you need to do is click on the place that’s conveniently located and within your budget and then make a booking. What could be easier?
If the map is not where you want to be, click on the ShowMe Pin and then enter the exact name of the location and the map will adjust accordingly.
