VTM Newsletter November 2018
News
Blue Monument
The Monument was lit up in blue the whole of November as part of the world-wide diabetes awareness campaign. Some of the other well-known places in the world that were also blue are the London Eye, the Sydney Opera House, the Niagra Falls, the Sears Tower in the USA and Table Mountain. These beautiful photos were taken by Jacqueline Boshoff.
Exhibition
The VTM-80 quilt-, embroidery and lace traditional crafts exhibition presented in the Monument, was very popular.
The international visitors were also very impressed.
VTM-80 Memorabilia
We had these beer mugs and wine glasses made to commemorate VTM-80. The beer mugs are sold separately and the wine glasses are in a gift set of six. Both are a very limited edition and will be available in the 16th of December. If you are unable to get them on the day, you may order them from Thea Furstenburg.
VTM-80 Commemoration Race
The VTM-80 road race that took place on 24 November was a huge success.
A video of the start can be seen on YouTube.
This race will now take place annually.
Events
Sempre Opera
The last event that we are presenting this year to commemorate VTM-80 will take place on 1 December in the Hall of Heroes. It is Mozart’s Requiem and Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël performed by Sempre Opera. It starts promptly at 19:30. Tickets are R 150 per person and are only available at www.quicket.co.za. Soloists performing are: Deirdré Blignaut-Rautenbach (soprano), Aukse Trinkunas (mezzo-soprano), Linette van der Merwe (mezzo-soprano), Chris Mostert (tenor), Danie Verster (baritone) and Otto Maidi (bass-baritone).
Further enquiries may be directed to info@sempreopera.co.za.
16 December Church Service
The service takes place in the Monument. Please note that the northern amphi-gate will also be open to speed up entrance to the site. Entrance is free for people attending the service.The program is briefly:
- 06:30 VTM main gate opens, also the northern one
- 07:00 Assegaai gates and the Monument doors open and guests are seated
- 08:15 Songs: Song leader, Evelyn Ferreira
- 08:30 Taking up of the collection
- 09:00 Reading of the Covenant
- 09:05 Covenant service lead by ds Christo Pretorius – Reformed Church
- 10:00 Finish – pack away the chairs
- 11:00 VTM main gates open for the general public (normal entrance fees applicable)
- 12:00 The sun shines on the Cenotaph
After the service at 10:00, Dr. Jackie Grobler will deliver a talk on the Battle of Blood River in the chapel. Entry is free. Our cannon Susanna will be fired at 11:00.
Please Note:
We remind you that the Monument as well as the site will be closed on Christmas day. Only persons who have booked for the Christmas buffet in the Monument Restaurant will be able to gain entry to the site.