Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein

Date: 16 Dec 1913
Updated: 20 Jul 2026

Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein

The Women's Memorial was unveiled in Bloemfontein, on the same day as the celebration of Dingaan's Day upon which the Voortrekker victory over the Zulu at Bloodriver (Ncombe) was celebrated. The ceremony, which was attended by 20 000 people from all over the country, was to commemorate 26 251 women and children who died during the Anglo-Boer War 2, mainly in British concentration camps. Many politicians were impressed by the speech of the former Orange Free State president, Mr M.T. Steyn, who was absent from the commemoration due to ill health. The speech was read out to the public by his aide. In his speech Steyn emphasised that the memorial has not been erected here in order to cause pain to any one, or to be an eternal reproach; but it is placed here out of simple piety.

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How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
02Anglo-Boer War Museum, Womens Memorial,[online], Available at www.anglo-boer.co.za, [Accessed:25 November 2013]

Last updated · 20 Jul 2026

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011358

South African History Online (2011) 'Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011358 (Accessed: 29 August 2026).

South African History Online, Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011358, (accessed 29 August 2026).

"Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011358. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Women’s Memorial is unveiled in Bloemfontein." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011358.