Making The Big Trek

Elsabe, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable educating us on the early Dutch settlers’ (Afrikaaners) history battling the Zulus for land after evacuating areas claimed by the British. We had also learned that this famous battle became a religious holiday, Dec. 16, because the victory was an answer to prayers the week before. This is her own family’s heritage, which is why she was so passionate in retelling it. The Voortrekkermonument was built after World War II to make sure future generations never forget what was sacrificed to establish their way of life in South Africa.

The monument itself is like a temple. Inside, you walk around the perimeter and read the stories following relief sculptures depicting the scenes. It is very much like observing the stations of the cross at a Catholic church. The monument is encircled by a wall of wagons, symbolizing what the Dutch settlers did to protect themselves from the onslaught of Zulus.