A spatial analysis of the Ncome/Blood River monuments/museum complex as hermeneutic objects of reconciliation and nation building

Abstract

The reconstruction of the Ncome Monument on the Blood River battle site has managed to restore the political imbalance to a certain extent. The Ncome Monument gives homage to the courageous Zulu regiments who attacked the Voortrekker laager on 16 December 1838. Before the Ncome Monument was built the bronze Voortrekker laager had been the only monument on the site apart from the main complex. During the unveiling of the Ncome Monument strong views were expressed that the new monument should add to reconciliation and peace building in South Africa. The aim of the article is to conduct a spatial analysis of the Ncome/Blood River Monuments in order to ascertain how its geographical setting and general appearance contribute hermeneutically to the goals of reconciliation and peace building in South Africa.

Die oprigting van die Ncome-Monument op die perseel waar die slag van Bloedrivier plaasgevind het tot ’n mate die politieke wanbalans herstel deurdat dit aan die dapper Zulu- regimente wat die Voortrekker laer op 16 Desember 1838 aangeval het, erkenning gee. Voordat die Ncome-monument gebou is was die brons Voortrekker laer die enigste monument wat op die terrein gestaan het bo en behalwe die hoofgeboue. Tydens die inhuldiging van die Ncome-monument en daarna is sterk pleidooie gerig dat die nuwe monument tot rekonsiliasie en nasiebou in Suid-Afrika sal bydra. Die doel van die artikel is om ʼn ruimtelike ontleding van die Ncome/Bloedrivier-monument te doen om vas te stel hoe hul geografiese ligging en algemene voorkoms hermeneuties tot die doelstellings van rekonsiliasie en vredebou in Suid-Afrika bygedra het.