Monument(al) meaning making in the "new" South Africa : Freedom Park as a symbol of a new identity and freedom?

Abstract

Freedom Park was established as part of a postcolonial reconstruction of monuments to honour those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, as well as to enhance reconciliation and nation building in South Africa. The aim of the article is to investigate the geographical location, spatial positioning and skyline of Freedom Park in an effort to establish its goal and the new identity that it wishes to convey. A description of the Park from outside and inside will be given in an effort to unlock its symbolic meaning. The underpinning research question is whether Freedom Park reflects a united identity which could contribute to reconciliation and nation building in South Africa.

Monument(ale) skepping van betekenis in die “nuwe” Suid-Afrika: Vryheidspark, ʼn simbool van ʼn nuwe identiteit en vryheid? Vryheidspark is as deel van die post-koloniale rekonstruksie van monumente in Suid-Afrika opgerig om eer aan diegene te betoon wat hul lewe vir vryheid opgeoffer het, maar ook om versoening en nasiebou te bevorder. Die doel van die artikel is om die oogmerk met die geografiese ligging en die ruimtelike posisionering van dié vredespark te ondersoek, asook die uitleg en die identiteit wat dit verteenwoordig. ʼn Beskrywing van die Park van buite en binne sal gedoen word ten einde die simboliese betekenis te verstaan. Die onderliggende navorsingsvraag is of Vryheidspark ʼn verenigde identiteit reflekteer wat tot versoening en nasiebou in Suid-Afrika kan bydra.