The Dirkie Uys monument in Somerset West – a historical commemoration to the loss of two Afrikaner war heroes – is slowly succumbing to vandalism and neglect as community organisations call for the monument to be moved elsewhere to be preserved in a dignified manner.
Located on the large piece of land just off Church Street, it is situated between two churches, the NG Moedergemeente and the Ou Pastorie church, and has been regularly vandalised – the latest incident within the last month.
An elderly resident who asked not to be named said a few years ago the community had come together to build a small fence around the structure comprising a stone bench, fashioned after an ox-wagon wheel, as well as an ox wagon on a stone plinth bearing the date 1938 to celebrate the centenary of the Great Trek.
“There’s constantly litter around the monument and now it has been vandalised again,” the resident said. “Surely something can be done to better preserve this piece of history, as it also serves as a tourist attraction, especially for the Afrikaner community.”
According to Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health, Patricia Van der Ross, the Recreation and Parks area office had not been consulted regarding the installation of the fence around the memorial and, as a result, workers were unable to gain access to the enclosure because the gate was locked and no contact information was provided. “The lock will be broken to gain access,” she said. “The removal of the graffiti will be also be done later this week.” Ross confirmed the memorial fell under the authority of the City as it was located on council land.
She said as part of the park maintenance schedule the park around the monument is mowed six to nine times each year, with the latest mowing having took place on Monday 13 March, during which litter was also removed.
Asked what could be done from then on to preserve the monument better, Van der Ross said on Monday 6 March the Recreation and Parks Property Management Unit had contacted Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK) regarding the possibility of establishing an agreement for maintenance assistance and was awaiting the organisation’s response to confirm a meeting time and date to discuss further.
“Furthermore,” she said, “the Recreation and Parks Department is currently following through on a process for it to be transferred to the City’s Heritage Department, which specialises in managing assets with a heritage status and of historical significance.”
Afrikaner history relates that Piet Uys, Voortrekker leader and hero, died together with his son Dirkie Uys on 11 April 1838 during an ambush at Italeni in what is now KwaZulu-Natal by Zulu warriors.
The heroic death of Dirkie Uys, who was only 15 at the time, is still commemorated today; it is the story of a boy who loved his father so much he was prepared to die fighting side-by-side with him.
According to a statement from the FAK, the Uys family had left deep traces in South African history, and young Dirkie’s heroism inspired many a monument, street name, even a school name.
“It is the FAK’s duty to protect and pass this heritage on,” the organisation said, “and the FAK wants to put a stop to the further destruction of its heritage. The FAK suggested the monument be moved to where it will be preserved and we have already received a few suggestions.”
Residents can report incidents of vandalism and theft by calling the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
Alternatively, they can email the Recreation and Parks Department at rp.enquiries@capetown.gov.za.
