Freedom Park

"Freedom Park is about you and me - it is about the South African tale in the voice of the South Africa people.  Using our unique culture, heritage, history and spirituality, Freedom Park tell our previously untold stories.  It is the heart and soul of South Africa captured in one breathtaking space."

An Excel spreadsheet couldn't keep tract of all the lovely invitations Ginger, my ministry partner and I have received since our arrival to South Africa September 1st.  Many opportunities to share a meal or participate in an outing or both.  Sunday, November 13th was such an occurance as Gunter and Hanna invited us over to their lovely home for a wonderful chicken lunch and then a trip to the Freedom Walk.

Our tour guide name is Gift.  Not an unusual name.  I've met many people with names like mine; Blessing, Fortune, Angel, Fortress, Ability and I could go on and on.  First time in my life that my name fits in and no one questions me about it.  I love it here.

Wall of Names

The Wall of Names is an awe-inspiring structure (697m in length), inscribed with the names of those who died during eight conflicts within South Africa’s history: Pre-Colonial Wars, Slavery, Genocide, Wars of Resistance, the South African War, the First World War, the Second World War and the Struggle for Liberation.

The physical wall can accommodate 120,000 names. To date, 75,000 names have been verified for inscription. The design also allows for future generations to memorialise their heroes and heroines.

 

"S'Khumbuto is the main memorial. It tells of the most important conflicts in South Africa's history.  Rather than a place of grief and mourning, this is a place of celebration.    S'khumbuto has many different elements, each one with its own symbolism and meaning. The WALL OF NAMES is inscribed with the names of our heroes and heroines who died fighting for humanity and freedom during the major conflicts in our history, namely Pre-Colonial Wars, Slavery, Genocide, Wars of Resistance, the South African War, the First and Second World War and the Struggle for Liberation.  This honours to those who laid down their lives so that we can enjoy freedom today."

 

"S'Khumbuto is the main memorial. It tells of the most important conflicts in South Africa's history.  Rather than a place of grief and mourning, this is a place of celebration.    S'khumbuto has many different elements, each one with its own symbolism and meaning. The WALL OF NAMES is inscribed with the names of our heroes and heroines who died fighting for humanity and freedom during the major conflicts in our history, namely Pre-Colonial Wars, Slavery, Genocide, Wars of Resistance, the South African War, the First and Second World War and the Struggle for Liberation.  This honours to those who laid down their lives so that we can enjoy freedom today."

World War 1       World War 2

Beautiful grounds! 

"The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities."

 Lesaka

To construct Isivivane, the nine provinces of South Africa were asked to provide a boulder from a place within the province with historical significance.

Along with a boulder representing national government and a boulder representing the international community, these boulders were used to construct the Lesaka – the burial ground where the spirits of those who died in the struggles for humanity and freedom have been laid to rest. To emphasise cleansing and purity, the centre of the Lesaka is shrouded in mist.

Religious leaders from various faiths imbued Isivivane with a deep sense of spirituality by performing a number of sacred ceremonies and rituals that lay to rest the spirits of our fallen heroes and heroines.

Lekgotla

In some African traditions, important matters are discussed in the presence of ancestors, and the Lekgotla at Isivivane allows for such discussions to take place. It consists of a semi-circular seating area constructed around a Umlahlankosi tree.           

Water

In many belief systems, water plays a significant role towards cleansing and healing. Water points have been stationed at both entrances to Isivivane for the washing of hands as a mark of respect for this sacred space.           

Trees

The Umlahlankosi trees that surround Isivivane were donated by each of South Africa’s nine provinces. These trees symbolise one of the mediums through which the spirits of those who died have been brought to Isivivane.           

At Isivivane, the individual, group and community pain stemming from past conflicts is transferred into a shared national strength and gives credence to the call for symbolic reparations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This monument further expresses the interconnectedness of all South Africans, irrespective of age or background, and reminds us of the strong ties that bind us together as a nation.

I took a picture of each of the 9 boulders.

Hanna & Gunter listening to their countrys' history

Ginger (L), Hanna, Gunter (R)

Ginger (L), Hanna, Gunter (R) 

 I lI;l

I liked the 'Pause Area' 

;l

Reeds

Silhouetted against the sky stands the majestic sculpture of ascending reeds. With almost 200 reeds, the tallest measuring 32 metres in height, this spectacular sight ensures visibility of Freedom Park from all around the capital city.

The reeds signify the rebirth of the South African nation as well as a nation embracing the future.

Gallery of Leaders

The Gallery of Leaders pays tribute to some of the many people whose leadership qualities and achievements have been pivotal in the struggle for humanity and freedom nationally, continentally and internationally.

These leaders have been selected because of the way in which they have brought about change and development and influenced the course of history. They are in the Gallery of Leaders to serve as exemplary role models who are worthy of being emulated.

Amphitheatre

Embraced by the Wall of Names, the reeds and the Gallery of Leaders is the Amphitheatre - a terraced space that can seat 2,000 people. It serves as a multi-purpose venue for major events or celebrations.

Eternal Flame

The Eternal Flame adjacent to the Sanctuary calls on visitors to remember the unknown soldiers - those unsung heroes and heroines who lost their lives without their names being recorded in history. Fire symbolises eternity.

Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a serene environment conducive to the outpouring of emotion. Visitors are invited to conduct a ceremony or light a candle in remembrance of the victims in our struggles for freedom or simply to celebrate the life of a loved one.

Lovely day with wonderful friends, reminding me how important it is to remember our past while looking forward towards our future.

ART: 1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

Vision:

An art museum of world renown, specialising in South African art.

Mission: 

Collecting, documenting and conserving outstanding examples of mainly South African art; researching and compiling exhibitions from the permanent collection; hosting major national and international travelling exhibitions, supplemented by educational activities.

I want to do it all. I want to see it all. I'm on the other side of the world, in the most beautiful city, during Springtime and I want to soak it all up. Alas, while my intentions are good I have two immediate issues: I don't have any transport and I am living on a small missionary stipend. 

Have you ever talked about doing something but never made it happen? After weeks of talking about visiting the museum on Saturday, November 5th, the most unlikely trio of international friends walked to the museum to make it a reality.

With the entrance fee 6 Rand = .75 cents, I sprung and paid for all of us.

Christoph taking a picture of himself

Us, the international trio. Christoph Schmidt-Dahl the most remarkable 19 year old in the world. And I can say that cuz we've gathered 5446.2 Miles (8764.8 Kilometers) from his home in Germany. 50% shy child, 50% wise, old man; 100% amazing. He has toiled tirelessly at the most boring job on campus; entering books into the computer system and then looking up and labeling each book with the Dewey Decimal System (I know, I know, everyone keeps saying we ought to be using the Library of Congress.) I personally can attest that it is the most boring job on campus because I, myself have logged more hours/days/weeks/ months doing the same task. We arrived the same day, September 1st.  Whereas I had 9 days of orientation and jet-lag to deal with Christoph immediately immersed himself into the campus life and also with the life of the German Lutheran Church 200 kilometers from here. I could go on and on about this wonder kid but if you knew only one thing about boy genius it should be that he is the most amazing photographer, EVER!

All these photo's were taken by Christoph!!!

Ashenafi

Ashenafi Gonemo Desta is number two of us three. Coming 2499.67 miles or 4022.71 Kilometers from Ethiopia, my new best friend is a very serious seminary student.  I'm impressed with his discipline and the seriousness he takes with his studies.  Quick with a smile and we have a running joke: every time he sees me pulling out of the seminary with the seminary car, he asks if I am driving to AMERICA.  'Why, yes I am." I answer and we always crack up.

Ashenafi

I round out the madcap tres and also came from the furthest distance with Pensacola, Florida being 8518.8 Miles (13709.6 Kilometers) from Pretoria.

huge sculpture made from millions of Q-tips (ear buds)

Our visit to the Pretoria Art Museum, wasn't so much a quick break from studying or taking a walk in the sunshine or even looking at art work.  My time in South Africa is about building relationships, trying to figure out who I am, especially in the context of a missionary.  Seeing and living the words of St. Paul, in which so often he wrote in Scripture about, 'every nation, every tongue, every tribe, every language,' all worshipping our Creator God.  I am so very fond of men living here on the Lutheran seminary campus, this 'small world' from so many countries, has left a tremendous impact on me and has touched my soul forever;  much the way beautiful art does.

"For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest"

This feast is the most comprehensive of the days of commemoration, encompassing the entire scope of that great cloud of witnesses with which we are surrounded (Hebrews 12:1).


It holds before the eyes of faith that great multitude which no man can number; all the saints of God in Christ - from every nation, race, culture, and language - who have come "out of the great tribulation...who have washed  their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9, 14). As such, it sets before us the full height and depth and breadth and length of our dear Lord's gracious salvation (Ephesians 3:17-19).

It shares with Easter a celebration of the resurrection, since all those who have died with Christ Jesus have also been raised with Him (Romans 6:3-8).

It shares with Pentecost a celebration of the ingathering of the entire Church catholic-in heaven and on earth, in all times and places - in the one Body of Christ, in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Just as we have all been called to the one hope that belongs to our call, "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6).

And the Feast of All Saints shares with the final Sundays of the Church Year an eschatological focus on the life everlasting and a confession that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). In all of these emphases, the purpose of this feast is to fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, that we might not grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Taken from 'Pray Now' 1 November Concordia Publishing House




"For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest"

1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confess,

Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

3. Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old

And win with them the victor's crown of gold.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of Glory passes on His way.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

7. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

8. The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.

Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.

Alleluia! Alleluia!