As you approach Hartbeespoort Dam on the R511, the road rises steeply over Saartjie’s Nek to reveal a spectacular view of the dam with the cliffs of the Magaliesberg behind. On a koppie to the right, a massive granite cross commemorates General Hendrik Schoeman and overlooks the grand panorama that he envisioned but never lived to see.
The memorial
The 4m high cross is, however, more than a monument – it is an exculpation of Schoeman’s honour, erected by his son, Johan, 55 years after his father’s death. If you climb the stone path to the cross the strange epitaph hints at Hendrik Schoeman’s controversial life (translated from Afrikaans):
This symbol of tragedy
and triumph of victory in defeat
has been erected for
GENERAL HENDRIK SCHOEMAN
by a group of admirers.
Cruel is the fate of the prophet and peacemaker,
his lonely path leads through Gethsemane to Golgotha.
Think of Hess, of Petain, of the Crucified.
But even more tragic is the fate of those who reject his advice with contempt.
Erected 1955
Plinth for the memorial to...
