Commemorate Freedom Day with a walk among heroes

Get to know the history of South Africa a bit better by taking a walk among the iconic South African and international giants who fought for freedom and democracy in South Africa. The Long March To Freedom is the world’s greatest exhibition of 100 life-size figures that will grow into a procession of over 400 bronze statues over time.

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Visitors are invited to walk through the procession of heroes, beginning in the 1700s with rebel chiefs and renegade missionaries, along with generations of freedom fighters, and finally meeting Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela at the end of the march and the beginning of South Africa’s democracy.

Helen Joseph (1805 – 1992) and Rahima Moosa (1922 – 1993)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Helen Joseph was a founding member of both the South African Congress of Democrats and the Federation of South African Women. She co-led the 1956 Women’s March and was also a defendant in the 1956 Treason Trial.

Rahima Moosa was a union activist who co-led the 1956 Women’s March. She was also a member of the Transvaal Indian Congress and played a key role in organizing the Congress of the People.

Bram Fisher (1908 – 1975)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Bram Fisher was an Afrikaner revolutionary and lawyer who held leadership positions in the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of Democrats. He was also a political prisoner.

Basil D Oliveira (1928 – 2011)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Basil D Oliveira was a celebrated batsman, bowler, and all-rounder who became the first non-White South African to play English County Cricket. He also became a symbol of the anti-Apartheid struggle in sports.

Jack Hodgson (1910 – 1977)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Jack Hodgson was a founder member of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), as well as a co-founder of the Springbok Legion and the Torch Commando. He was also a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), and a founder member and National Secretary of the Congress of Democrats. In addition, he was among the defendants in the 1956 Treason Trial.

Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (1913 – 1998)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Archbishop Trevor Huddleston was an Anglican archbishop who held several prominent positions related to the anti-Apartheid movement. He served as the President of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement and was also the Chairman of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa.

Kgosi Kgamanyane Pilane (1820 – 1871)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Kgosi Kgamanyane Pilane became the Chief of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela after succeeding his father, Pilane Pheto, in 1848. He ruled the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela during a period when the Transvaal province was under the control of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), which led to Boers having control over most of the land.

Helen Suzman (1917 – 2009)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Helen Suzman was a founding member of the Progressive Party and a human rights activist. She was also an economist and served as a member of parliament.

Alfred Xuma (1893 – 1962)

Picture: Nigel Riley

Alfred Xuma was a teacher and medical doctor who served as the President-General of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1940 to 1949.

Check out The Long March To Freedom virtual tour here for a truly unique and engaging experience about South Africa’s fascinating history.

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Picture: Nigel Riley

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