Voortrekker Monument Newsletter – November 2019
News
Donations
Our thanks and appreciation to Prominent Paints for their donation of paint and equipment to finish the renovation of the men’s and ladies’ toilets at the assegaai gate.
Our thanks and appreciation also to Johnson Tiles who donated the tiles to renovate the toilets at the Avo-deli. We are only able to complete many of our projects successfully with the donations of supporters such as these.
SATU Visit
Teachers from the South African Teachers’ Union paid a visit to the Funda Discovery Centre at the end of October to avail themselves of the centre’s teaching capabilities and facilities. Managing Director of the Monument, Cecilia Kruger, spoke about the Funda and guest speakers Dr Gillian Arendse and Marésa Viljoen also addressed the visitors. The guests departed after sampling our home made bread baked in the outdoor oven and wors rolls for lunch
VTM Half Marathon
The annual VTM half marathon took place on 23 November. As always it was a huge success with 1050 runners taking part. This was Pretoria’s first plastic free race. No plastic water sachets were used at stations during the race. The race is presented by the VTM’s running and walking club.
New Bush Kitchen on Site
From 12 December we will have an exciting new Bush Kitchen on site to provide nourishment for all our visitors.
Events
Book Launch
“From Memory to Marble”
Date: 16 December 2019
Time: 10:15 – Free entry
Place: Art Gallery (next to the Blikkantien restaurant, under the Quo Vadis statue)
Plese Note: We only have space for 200 guests.
On the eve of the publication of their book about the historical frieze in the Voortrekker Monument the authors, Professor emeritus Elizabeth Rankin (New Zealand) and Professor emeritus Rolf Schneider (Germany), will share their exploration of the creation of the unique marble frieze with guests.
Not only will they focus on their exploration of South African resources but they will also discuss their visits to studios in Italy where the frieze was carved in marble. The fascinating story of how eighteen years of Voortrekker history (1836 – 1854) was captured in 92 metres of marble, will be shared in their preview.
Day of the Covenant 16 Dec
The program for the commemoration service on 16 December is as follows:
06:30 VTM main gates open, also the northern gate. Take note, when exiting the site, please use the northern gate.
07:00 Assegaai gate and Monument doors open
08:15 Singing: Lead singer, Carmen Venter
08:30 Take up collection
09:00 Reading of the Covenant
09:05 Covenant service by Danie Langner
10:00 Finish – put away chairs
10:15 Book launch in art gallery
11:00 VTM main gates open for general public (normal entrance fees applicable)
11:30 Firing of Susanna
12:00 Observe the sun on the Cenotaph
Old Year’s Eve Dance
The Boere music guild will host an Old Year’s Eve dance on 31 December in the Voortrekker Hall on the picnic site.
It is essential to book, R100 per person.
Please contact Ronelle on 082 804 6991 for more information.