South Africa
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The Andries Pretorius Monument is situated off the N9 / R61 about 2 km outside of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Andries Pretorius was the Boer leader during the battles with the Zulu’s and British forces. Graaff-Reinet also has strong connections with the Great Trek (1834 – 1837) and Pretorius was one of the pivotal leaders during this time. He farmed in the area before setting off across the Orange River in their quest for freedom from the British authorities. The city of Pretoria was also named after Andries Pretorius.

Pretorius died in 1853 and this granite monument was unveiled in his memory by Mrs. Gustav Preller on Pretorius’s birthday 27 November in 1943. The sculpture was Coert Steynberg. The monument is an imposing figure of Andries Pretorius, gazing northwards, with his left hand resting on a wagon wheel. The sculptor also incorporated Afrikaner Oxen in the design to pay tribute to these noble animals that hauled the Voortrekker wagons. There is an inscription of the words as spoken by Pretorius on the base of the monument, “ Eenmal sal daar wel ‘n wiel oor ons wereld rol wat vir u en vir my onkeerbaar is” (One day a wheel will indeed roll across our world and neither you nor I will be able to stop it).

The monument was moved to its current location at the Cambedoo National Park offices off the N9 / R61 to Middleburg.

Admission

No admission fee is charged.

Open Daily to the public.

Climate

Rainfall occurs mainly in the autumn months, with March seeing the highest levels. Winter nights can drop below freezing.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 11˚C and 30˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 2˚C and 16˚C.

Transport

There are flights into Port Elizabeth International Airport, from all major cities in South Africa, on a daily basis. Car hire facilities are available and the airport is approximately 264 km from Graaf-Reinet. 

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