Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a 52ha heritage precinct nestled on Salvokop as you enter Pretoria from Johannesburg. It is a site of remembrance, where South Africa honours those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for freedom.
In the spirit of reconciliation South Africa embraced in 1994, Freedom Park does not honour those who died in a specific conflict or in support of a particular political ideology; it pays tribute to all deserving South Africans who played a meaningful role in shaping this nation. Past conflicts, such as the Anglo-Boer War, the two world wars, conflicts in Angola and Namibia and the anti-apartheid struggle for freedom, all shaped South Africa into the vibrant country it is today.
Freedom Park, Salvokop, Pretoria. Photo courtesy Gauteng Tourism Authority
Freedom Park seeks to honour those extraordinary individuals who were at the forefront of defending this country and steering it towards unity and prosperity. The shrine also provides a place where South Africans can find closure and move forward with the work of nation-building.
Although no remains are interred at Freedom Park, there are some symbols that represent the heroes of South Africa’s past struggles. Visitors may be drawn to the 697m-long Wall of Names, which is inscribed with the names of some of those who died in past conflicts. The wall has space for 136 000 names and more than 75 000 have been listed since the park opened in 2007. However, not all 136 000 spaces will be taken up by those who fell in past conflicts – space will be reserved for future generations to inscribe the names of those they feel are deserving of such honour.
Also of interest is a spiritually symbolic site called Isivivane, which represents the burial place of all fallen heroes. The Gallery of Leaders, which honours local and international leaders who made contributions to the South African cause, is another popular attraction.
Elements of the park are still being put in place. In future, visitors interested in learning more about the struggle for freedom will find the Pan African Archives a useful resource. The archives will house research material in audio, visual and text formats. An interactive exhibition space, //hapo, will present the history of Southern Africa over the past 3.6-billion years in narrative and visual form, and Vhuawelo, a garden and walkway, will offer visitors a quiet place for meditation and reflection.
Admission
Adults: R45
Pensioners and children under 16 years: R25
Visiting hours
Tours are conducted daily at 09h00, 12h00 and 15h00
Directions
Freedom Park is off Potgieter Street, across from Pretoria Central Prison