“What stories do these stones hold?” I ask gesturing toward the Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe War Memorial. This monument stands on Cottesloe Koppie overlooking Johannesburg. It honors those who fought in the Anglo-Boer War from 1899 to 1902.
The Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe is a simple rectangular structure. It stands two meters high. All four sides are covered in plaques. These plaques are made of granite sandstone slate and soapstone. Each tells a story of the war. There are 41 plaques with names of men and boys. They fought in the Anglo-Boer War.
The Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe was erected in 1938. It was part of the Great Trek centenary celebrations. The location was a corner of Laerskool Cottesloe. Each plaque was placed by relatives of the fighters. Veteran combatants packed the stones. Ex-prisoners of war also helped.
The Heritage Portal describes the scene well. In 1938 elderly men carried stones up Brixton Ridge. They placed them on a crude stone construction. This was a rocky outcrop.
Mr Gert Jooste initiated the Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe. He chaired the Monument Committee. The former Mayor Maldwyn Edmund unveiled it. Commandant Koos Jooste unveiled the cornerstone. This was during a visit by ox wagons. They were on their way to Crosby.
The City of Johannesburg restored the Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe in 2006. It was cleaned and sealed. Cracks were repaired. This aimed to slow weathering. A fence was added for protection.
The Heritage Portal highlights the monument’s significance. At first glance it seems an embarrassing relic. But standing there reveals embedded stories. The Pienaar family’s fate is mentioned. A father and four brothers were prisoners of war. They were in Bermuda St Helena and Portugal. D J Du Toit was a Boer spy. He was sentenced to death but exiled to India.
Wealthy veterans bought granite plaques. They engraved long epitaphs. Poorer veterans etched words on slate or sandstone. No famous artist designed this Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe. It is simply gifts and memories from those who fought.
The Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe stands unsigned on a hill. It is unnoticed by motorists. Yet it contains stories of the past. It also holds possibilities for future commemoration. The eGGSA provides additional details. The GPS coordinates are -26 11.488 28 01.138.
The monument allows us to reflect. It honors those who struggled in a difficult time. It is a place to remember their sacrifices. The Oudstrydersmonument Cottesloe tells silent stories of bravery.