Pretoria News

Iconic Voortrekker Monument reopens

ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za

THE VOORTREKKER Monument in Pretoria was not spared the economic crunch and restrictions posed by the Covid-19 on international travel.

However, good news is that tourists have started finding their way back to this landmark.

The largest tour group since the Covid-19 lockdown measures came into effect last year visited this week.

They were from Romania and also visited the Union Buildings.

People from the US, France and Russia recently visited the monument, but the bus with 35 Romanians was the first with international tourists to in more than a year, said Gerhard Pretorius, spokesperson for the Voortrekker Monument.

“It warms one’s heart to receive international tourists again. It is a wonderful privilege for us to receive persons from abroad again and be able to tell them about our rich history here in South Africa.

“And for the local people, the monument is here; if you are in Cape Town support the monument, become a friend of the monument. “

Pretorius said people had to, now more than ever, support monuments, history and culture.

The group of tourists chatted among themselves and listened intently to the tour guide, Nick Snyman, who explained the history of the monument and the Great Trek.

For most of these tourists, it was their first visit to South Africa and the Voortrekker Monument.

“It is beautiful to see how the history is showcased on the wall of this monument. I think every time you visit a new country, it is beautiful to learn about the culture and the history,

“So it’s been an amazing visit and an amazing place,” Alison Barbu, one of the tourists said.

METRO

en-za

2021-06-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://pretorianews.pressreader.com/article/281547998834996

African News Agency