More than 250 years after he rode into stormy seas to save stranded sailors, Wolraad Woltemade has come home. On the anniversary of his heroic sacrifice, residents gathered at Loxton Heritage Park in Milnerton to celebrate the unveiling of the historic statue depicting the Cape legend and his faithful horse, Vonk.

For seven decades, the towering bronze monument stood outside the Old Mutual headquarters in Pinelands. Now, thanks to the efforts of local heritage advocates and community organisations, the three-ton statue overlooks the coastline where Woltemade made the ultimate sacrifice more than 250 years ago.

Its new home is just a short distance from Klein Zoar, the Cape vernacular cottage believed to have been Woltemade’s residence, adding further significance to the relocation.

A story of extraordinary courage

The unveiling coincided with the anniversary of one of the Cape’s most remarkable acts of bravery. On 1 June 1773, the Dutch East India Company vessel De Jonge Thomas was caught in a violent storm while anchored in Table Bay.

The ship broke free from its anchor and smashed into rocks near the mouth of the Salt River, leaving passengers and crew struggling for survival in rough seas.

According to historical accounts, Woltemade, then 65 years old, rode his horse Vonk into the surf after an initial attempt to assist with a rope failed. Together they completed seven rescue trips, saving 14 people from the wreck. On the eighth journey, desperate survivors overwhelmed horse and rider in their attempt to reach safety.

Both Woltemade and Vonk disappeared beneath the waves. Woltemade’s body was recovered the following day. Vonk was never found.

More than a statue

Addressing the crowd, Milnerton Central Residents’ Association chairman Bouwe van der Eems said the relocation represented far more than the movement of a monument.

“This isn’t just rehoming the statue. It’s bringing Woltemade home, to where he lived and to the coastline where he and Vonk lost their lives while saving others,” he said.

Van der Eems said the monument serves as a reminder that Milnerton’s history remains deeply connected to the landscape enjoyed by residents today.

Friends of Loxton Heritage Park chair Gary van den Berg, who spearheaded the relocation project, said discussions with Old Mutual had been positive from the outset. “I think he does greater good being here than outside a corporate head office,” he said. “We all agreed that this is where he belongs.”

Preserving a legacy

The statue was created by renowned sculptor Ivan Mitford-Barberton and was officially inaugurated in 1956 by then governor-general Ernest George Jansen. Van den Berg said generations of South Africans had grown up learning about Woltemade’s selfless bravery and that the new location would allow more people to connect with the story.

The unveiling was attended by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, ward councillor Fabian Ah-Sing, veteran performer and producer Alistair Izobell, environmental activist Caroline Marx and members of the local community.

Mayor Hill-Lewis reflected on childhood memories of spending time in Loxton Park and praised the Friends of Loxton Heritage Park for their commitment to preserving and improving the public space.

He said Woltemade’s story of sacrifice and service remains as relevant today as it was more than two centuries ago. Concluding part of his address in Afrikaans, the mayor remarked: “Wolraad is now home.”

The Milnerton Central Residents Association said: “A sincere thank you to #OldMutual for donating the statue, and to all those who contributed to bringing this important piece of local heritage home. A very special thank you to Gary van den Berg for initiating, coordinating and driving this project. Thank you also Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis for unveiling the statue in a park where he himself played as a boy.”

The Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club said: “Wolraad Woltemade and his horse Vonk is central to the ethos of Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club and they are honoured in our club logo to be found on all our club kit, our club flags, our ski’s (Vonk) and our most prestigious rescue awards for outstanding rescues. Welcome home.”

A light-hearted finale

The ceremony concluded with a moment of unexpected humour. As Hill-Lewis and Van den Berg attempted to remove the white cloth covering the statue, the fabric stubbornly refused to budge. A resident eventually offered a pocket knife, prompting laughter from the crowd.

Moments later, the cloth finally gave way, revealing the bronze figure of Woltemade and Vonk standing proudly against the backdrop of the coastline where their legendary story unfolded more than 250 years ago.

For many in attendance, it was more than an unveiling. It was the return of a local hero to the place where his legacy began.

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