By IANS
Pretoria : The South African government has opened to visitors a unique Freedom Park that has two heritage themes based on the wall inscriptions of heroes who fought eight great wars and a monument for spiritual enrichment.
The Wall of Names is a series of inter-connecting walls inscribed with the names of men and women who died during the eight conflicts that shaped South Africa, BuaNews reported.
“These are Pre-colonial Wars, Genocide, Slavery, Wars of Resistance, the Anglo Boer War, the First World War, Second World War and the Struggle for Liberation,” the South African news agency said.
The two heritage sites are located in the Isivivane hill that has the spiritual centre and Sikhumbuto that houses the Wall of Names, an amphitheatre, Eternal flame, a gallery and a sanctuary.
The monument in Isivivane demonstrates the link of all generations of the South African nation.
For constructing the monument, nine provinces in the country were consulted on obtaining a huge stone with a historical significance. The Isivivane centre is a sacred space for spiritual enrichment.
“The opening of park to the public is an important milestone. Visitors will not be charged for entering the park,” said Mongane Wally Serote, chief executive officer of the park.
“Our objective is to accommodate all visitors during the festive season, which is a time for relaxation and exploration,” he said.
The Freedom Park Trust has trained 20 local youths to be employed as tour guides, which will help them to earn their livelihood.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has called it “the most ambitious project of the democratic government”. The Park covers an area of 52 hectares in Pretoria.
After the park has been opened for the public, the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for symbolic reparation of victims of past atrocities to the centre.