The Burgher Monument
06 | In the middle of the Platrand overlooking Ladysmith is the Burgher Memorial. Unveiled in 1979 in honour of 781 Burghers who died during battles in Natal during the Anglo Boer War. The group of massive hands, six reaching up in faith and the seventh pointing downwards to symbolise “here”. The communal crypt in the centre contains the remains of 310 re-interred burghers.
A poem by Ernest van Heerden was translated into English by Prof. C. De Jong from Pretoria:
Total Views: 4794 Daily Views: 0Through these hands a greater hand
Spread spilled blood so generously
That fingers point over hilly land
To plough fields from which freedom grows