Situated on a prominent “koppie” (hill) overlooking Tshwane, the vision for Freedom Park, designed by GAPP + Mashabane Rose Architects + MMA, is to become ?a leading national and international icon of humanity and freedom.? Its Mission is ?to provide a pioneering and empowering heritage destination that challenges visitors to reflect upon our past, improve our present and build on our future as a united nation.? At the core of this mission is reconciliation and nation building through the use of history, culture and spirituality. Indigenous Knowledge and Knowledge systems (IKS) are brought to bear on the project as a whole including guiding the architectural and landscape interventions.
Photography: Graham A. Young
The 52-hectare site lies immediately south of the city, comprising a natural quartzite ridge of significant ecological value and forms an important visual, natural and strategic gateway into the city. Freedom Park Phases
The first two phases of the project have been completed, the latter being inaugurated on December 16th 2006. The first phase entailed the development of the Garden of Remembrance whose key feature is the Isivivane, a symbolic final resting place of those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of Freedom. Composed primarily of boulders dedicated in the nine different provinces and from abroad, it is derived from indigenous spiritual practices of commemoration.
Photography: Graham A. Young
The next (intermediate) phase, Isikhumbut...