Uitdrukkings op die Nasionale Vrouemonument geweeg

Authors

  • Piet J. Strauss University of the Free State, South Africa

Abstract

In hierdie artikel val die soeklig op vier uitdrukkings op die Nasionale Vrouemonument in Bloemfontein: “Uw wil geschiede”, “Aan onze heldinnen en lieve kinderen”, “Ik zal u niet begeven en u niet verlaten” en “Voor vryheid, volk en vaderland”. Die eeufees van die onthulling van die monument is op 16 Desember 2013 gevier.
Die betekenis van elke uitdrukking word ontleed. Die vraag word gestel hoe hierdie betekenis inpas by die geheelboodskap van die monument. Vir die vasstelling hiervan word die interpretasies van pres. M.T. Steyn en Emily Hobhouse geneem. Hierdie twee persoonlikhede was verantwoordelik vir die toesig oor die bou van die monument, terwyl eersgenoemde as die inisieerder en vader van die monument beskou word.
Die betekenis van die 4 uitdrukkings en die boodskap van die monument is dat God alles in die lewe bepaal. God is nét goed, sodat hierdie oortuiging of boodskap ? groot troos is. Daar is natuurlik ook gebeure wat die mens nie kan verklaar nie, omdat die Bybel as Woord van God ons grens vir kennis van God en sy wil is.
Met hierdie boodskap is die monument nie ? monument van haat nie, maar van liefde. ? Boodskap vir alle mense in alle tye.

A discussion of some of the inscriptions on the National Woman’s Memorial
This article concentrates on four inscriptions on the National Women’s Memorial in Bloemfontein; a monument which was opened on 16 December 1913 and which centenary was celebrated in 2013. These inscriptions are “Thy will be done”, “To our heroines and beloved children”, “I will not forsake you” and “For freedom, our people and our country”.
The meaning of every inscription is discussed. The question whether this meaning fits in with the general message of the monument is also investigated. For the latter the viewpoint of the two well-known overseers of the process of building the monument, Emily Hobhouse and Pres. M. T. Steyn, is taken into account. Steyn is regarded as the founder and father of the monument.
The meaning of the inscriptions and the monument as a whole is embedded in the belief that God determines everything in life. Some events we as human beings can not explain, but we believe that being in God’s hands is always to our advantage.
With this point of departure the message of the monument is not one of hatred, but of love and reconciliation. A message suited for all times and people.

Published

2014-08-29

How to Cite

Strauss, P. J. (2014). Uitdrukkings op die Nasionale Vrouemonument geweeg. Tydskrif Vir Christelike Wetenskap | Journal for Christian Scholarship, 50(3), 49-67. Retrieved from https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/tcw/article/view/347

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Artikels | Articles

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