Meet Oom Andries

Andries Pretorius is quoted saying to Sir HarrySmith – “One day a wheel will indeed roll across our world & neither you nor I will be able to stop it.”

 

Today Graaff-Reinet proudly boasts that Andries Pretorius set off on this Great Trek van Graaff-Reinet. He was one of the main leaders of the Voortrekkers during the 1830’s. A large group of Trekboere under his leadership decided to move from the Graaff-Reinet area northwards.

 

The monument in honour of Andries Pretorius is situated a mere 5km outside of Graaff-Reinet on the Middleburg road (N9), one has to enter the Camdeboo National Park main gate to get access to this beautiful sandstone monument.

 

Coert Steynberg (the sculptor) depicted Pretorius looking north - the direction the Trekboere headed towards. His left hand is resting on the wagon wheel, bound to the earth. The head of oxen symbolizes that the trek wouldn’t have been possible without these majestic beasts that helped the Trekboere cross rivers & mountains. The Trekboere headed north without any topographical maps or knowledge of what lay beyond the horizon, only with sheer determination & a will of finding their own land to govern.

 

The now famous metropole of Tshwane, previously Pretoria was named in honour of him. Pretorius is well-remembered for yearning for independence & striving to get the independent republic of Transvaal acknowledged by the British.