Highlights

• Voortrekker Monument. One of the finest and most spectacular monuments in the world. Known as the ‘Bastion of Afrikanerdom”. Here you share in the story of the early struggles of the descendants of the Dutch as they made their way into the interior.
• Church Street Cemetery. Leaders of the country and heroes were buried here as well as British soldiers and Breaker Morant.
• Melrose House. This is where the South African war ended. It is a small informal museum with pictures and furniture of that era.
• Paul Krugers home. Now a museum which helps to understand some of the difficulties of the Boers of that time.
• Smuts farm. Ranking alongside Nelson Mandela as one of the greates South African leaders we visit his home.
• Drive past Churchills prison an our way to the chilling
• Freedom Park. A place of reflection and reconciliation

Tour

Introduction

We start the day with an overview of the country, the different population groups, some of the demographics as well as describing some of the terms used to describe the people of this country. We detail the 11 “Official Languages” as well as the other 4!
Depending upon the interest levels of the group we give a talk titled “20000 Years in 60 Minutes!”
The parallels between the recent “Struggle” years and the early “Struggle” of the Boers is outlined

Voortrekker Monument

Described as the “Bastion of Afrikanerdom” the reasons behind the building of the Monument are outlined. The events leading up to the unveiling of the cornerstone in 1938 and the impact of its opening on South Africa including the re-creation of the Great Trek. The role of “Siener Van Rensberg and his prophesy of revolution, as well as the actual unveiling of the corner stone are outlined.
The symbolism of all aspects of the Monument and its position in Boer History are described in detail. The 64 wagons, the statue by Anton Von Wough, the Boers guarding the Monument and all architectural features are discussed.
The Monument is then entered.
This is one of the most striking Monuments of its kind in the world.
The Hall of Heroes is described and the Italian Marble frieze featuring 27 stories described. The Artists and there work is discussed as well as the symbolism of December 16th and the reasons for its importance highlighted.

We stop at each of the Marble Friezes, selecting the most important of these and telling the story related to that frieze.
The History is related from a traditional Boer perspective with the more modern Zulu interpretation of events presented to ensure a balanced interpretation of the Great Trek, the killing of Retief (Murder or execution?) and the Battle of Blood River.
After telling the stories of the friezes we visit the Museum downstairs where the “Flame of Civilisation” burns today as well as view the magnificent tapestry depicting the Great Trek made by Afrikaner women in Pretoria.
Finally we take a lift to the top of the Monument for the view over Pretoria and the country. Features are pointed out to guests.
Depending upon the interest of guests we include a visit to the Museum at fort Schanskop.

Church Street Cemetery

This is the cemetery where “Heroes acre” is located and the graves of prominent Polititians, Afrikaner Poets and Personalities and Presidents are located.
We tell the stories of the South African War and see the British war graves as well as the graves of Afrikaner heroes such as Joepie Fourie.
The grave of Breaker Morant is visited and his story told as well as Queen Victorias Grandson.
Throughout the visit stories are told of the people whos graves we visit.

Paul Krugers home in Church street

This little Museum in Krugers Home shows how the President of the first Boer republic lived. In addition there are many artifacts and memories of the period of the Boer War. The train carriages where Kruger governed the Republic from are visited as well as the Museum with the items contributed by countries around the world expressing their sympathies at the time of the South African War.

Melrose House

Where the signing of the “Peace of Vereeniging” in 1902 is then visited and tours- some of the original pictures can be seen on display and the story of the peace discussed.

Churchill’s Prison

The building where Winston Churchill was imprisoned in November 1899 and the site of his escape from captivity are driven past and a brief outline of his role in South Afdrica given.

Smuts Farm

We then travel to Irene outside Pretoria to visit the small Museum on former Prime Minister Jannie Smuts’ farm. Stories of his role in South African History are told and the Museum toured.

FREEDOM PARK

We visit the Museum which is one of the most advanced museums in the world. The story of South Africa is told in an interactive manner, through to the achievement of democracy in 1994