Heritage and Tourism Month in South Africa presents the ideal time to revitalise remembrance tourism by exploring the remarkable memorial sites in our country.
Global conflict has been part of our history since the beginning of time, marked by a profound loss that can be hard to reconcile and often challenging to comprehend and rationalise.
Military cemeteries and places of remembrance provide spaces to learn about the past and ensure that the hard lessons of war and those who lost their lives in warfare are never forgotten.
This form of tourism, sometimes referred to as memorial or heritage tourism, is steadily expanding its influence, offering a significant travel experience that transcends the typical tourist destinations and allows us to go back in time, pay homage to significant historical events, and honour the sacrifices of those who came before us.
Also read: Here are 5 lesser-known museums to visit in Cape Town
Cape {town} Etc discount: Explore Cape Town with a promo pass: Free entry to any 3 Cape Town attractions – R150 (Valued at R305). Get the deal here.
Juan Maree, the director of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Southern Africa, notes the growing prominence of visiting these sites as places of remembrance in recent years.
He highlights that such visits provide travellers with the opportunity to connect with the past, contemplate the lessons embedded in history, and gain profound insights into the human experience.
For individuals who possess a genuine appreciation and curiosity for the real-life narratives intertwined with heritage and history, this experience is nothing short of remarkable.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) operates on behalf of the governments of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa, dedicated to commemorating the 1.7 million men and women from the Commonwealth who lost their lives during the two World Wars.
In South Africa, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) undertakes the responsibility of maintaining the graves of 10 625 South Africans buried across more than 600 locations throughout the country.
Dido Valley War Cemetery is Cape Town’s war memorial site.
Simon’s Town, the home of South Africa’s Navy, saw massive shipping movements (including hospital ships) during both World Wars. During the Second World War, naval and maritime air operations were conducted from the area.
Also read: 12 historical shipwrecks along the Western Cape Coastline
Instruction under the Empire Air Training Scheme was done at the 65 and 66 Air Schools at the nearby Youngsfield Aerodrome. Most of those laid to rest there are naval personnel, and it was there too that the Cross of Sacrifice was unveiled on 5 January 1930 by Vice-Admiral R.M. Burmester, R.N.
A new memorial in Cape Town in 2024
In 2024, a new CWGC Memorial will be completed to honour black South African servicemen who served for labour regiments and perished in the First World War, and to date have no known grave.
The Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial will be situated in Cape Town’s popular Companies Gardens.
Here are some of the top remembrance sites to visit in South Africa:
- West Park Cemetery – Military Block – Gauteng
- Thaba Tshwane New Military Cemetery – Gauteng
- Hamilton War Cemetery – Free State
- Stellawood War Cemetery – KwaZulu-Natal
- Fort Napier War Cemetery – KwaZulu-Natal
- Ladysmith War Cemetery – KwaZulu-Natal
For more information on the memorial tours, visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Plan the ultimate road trip with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Picture: Supplied
