All monuments and memorials originate as a creative act. As with artworks, they are the product of the time and culture from which they originate, infused with politics and inherent personal and social biases. Monuments and memorials become both symbols of pride and identity as well as triggers for protest and rage. They can be seen to statically embody the injustices of the past or act as an anchor for memory in a rapidly changing modern world. In this context, what does it mean to create a new monument or site of memory? This chapter offers a retrospective exploration and personal critique of the conceptualisation and creation of two new memorials in the South African context, which has seen protest against as well as the recent removal, vandalisation and questioning of the relevance of colonial and apartheid monuments and memorials.

DELVILLE WOOD MEMORIAL

The Delville Wood South African National Memorial site is a layered complex of memorials and museums established by the South African government on the site of the eponymous 1916 battle in Longueval, France. The battle of Delville Wood is one of the most celebrated engagements of the newly formed South African armed forces during the First World War (1914–1918) and an important event in the creation of the young country's identity. The First World War affected not only the European countries directly involved but also many of their colonies. While the war was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, a series of treaties and alliances between the various nations involved led to declarations of war when allies were attacked. The war, expected ‘to be over by Christmas’ 1914, was prolonged and tragic, with a high number of casualties largely due to the trench warfare – a poor tactical response to increasingly modern military technology. The newly formed Union of South Africa joined the war as part of the forces of the British Empire.

The country's contribution to the war was significant. In addition to the 146 000 citizens who volunteered for active service, there were 83 000 members of the South African Native Labour Contingent (SANLC). The SANLC was established in 1916 to address the extreme shortage of labour on the Western Front as well as in French ports. It was made up of black volunteers who believed that their support for the war effort would result in better treatment back home.