Decolonising the Cultural Landscape: Preserving Historical Statues in Tshwane, South Africa

ABSTRACT

The post-apartheid South African cultural landscape is characterised by complex and contradictory dynamics. On one hand, it is a space where ongoing contestations, anti-racist struggles, and resistance against dominant ideologies persist, challenging the prevailing ways of thinking and perceiving the public sphere. On the other hand, this landscape is also susceptible to political manipulation and serves as a battleground for various class interests, power struggles, and attempts to control the state apparatus. This article employs a decolonising gaze theory to examine qualitative data collected from the former Groenkloof Nature Reserve to shed light on the challenges associated with preserving historical statues and monuments. Additionally, it seeks to understand the motivations behind the construction of statues and monuments commemorating former struggle icons at Groenkloof, despite the obstacles encountered. The findings of this study reveal that the presence of Groenkloof statues and monuments is an integral part of an ongoing resistance movement and contestation of colonial history. These monuments serve as a means of reconciling the past and the present, facilitating connections and exchanges, while also exposing the ruptures, struggles, and complexities that continue to shape South Africa’s deeply intertwined history.

KEYWORDS:

• statues
• monuments
• decolonising gaze
• Tshwane (Pretoria)
• South Africa

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to all interviewees who participated in this study, to the anonymous reviewers for the careful reading of the manuscript and their useful suggestions, and to Rachel Hendrix, the corresponding author’s intern from Duke University for proofreading the manuscript.

The research that forms the basis of this paper was supported by the HSRC CEO’s Discretionary Fund, grant SOAGAA, for which we express our gratitude.

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mathias Alubafi Fubah

Mathias Alubafi Fubah is a senior research specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council and a research fellow at the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Chammah J. Kaunda

Chammah J. Kaunda is an assistant professor at Yonsei University in South Korea and a professor extraordinarius at the University of South Africa in South Africa.

Catherine Ndinda

Catherine Ndinda is a research director at the Human Sciences Research Council and an honorary professor in development studies at the University of South Africa.