Statue of Martinus Theunis Steyn

A statue of Martinus Theunis Steyn was installed at the University of the Free State, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, until 2020.

Statue of Martinus Theunis Steyn
SubjectMartinus Theunis Steyn
LocationUniversity of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Description and history

In honour to the fact that Steyn had worked diligently for an indigenous Free State University during the years before the Anglo-Boer War, and the desire of the Afrikaanse Studentebond to inspire young Afrikaners to take up leadership in South Africa, it was decided to erect a statue at the University of the Free State.[1]

Before the statue was built, a period of 12 years was dedicated to the planning and funding thereof. The statue was erected with funds collected by the Afrikaner Studentebond. The statue was constructed by the praised, Dutch-born sculptor, Anton van Wouw. Steyn is presented as a person of reflection as well as a person that commands respect. The size of the statue is 2:1 and is mounted on a base built from local stone. The statue was unveiled on 28 September 1929.[1]

In April 2015, the University of the Free State, under leadership of UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, led a three-day discussion session about the role and place of statues, symbols, and signs at the university. Speaking about the statue, Jansen stated that the discourse on transformation was not about only one person's memories, but about everyone's in the country.[2]

In 2018, the university targeted the statue as a priority to be dealt with according to its Integrated Transformation Plan (ITP). In November, the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, stated that a large portion of the student body felt unwelcome near the statue and that a “Special Task Team” found that there could be no historical reinterpretation of the statue and that it should therefore be relocated. Although according to the National Museum in Bloemfontein the current location on campus is important because "President Steyn embodies the ideal of the establishment of a Free State university".[3][4]

The statue was dismantled in June 2020 and re-assembly of the statue at the Anglo-Boer War Museum (also known as The War Museum of the Boer Republics) will follow under oversight of a heritage architect.

References
  1. ”Heritage Impact Assessment: President MT Steyn Statue”, Roodt Architects, Assisted by Ntando Mbatha and Seotseng Tlhoaele,
  2. ”Discourse on statues and symbols puts transformation questions in the spotlight”, News Archive, University of the Free State, 2015-04-12,
  3. ”UFS Council approves relocation of MT Steyn statue to a site off campus”, Media Release, University of the Free State, Lacea Loader, 23 November 2018,
  4. "Burning heritage issues: the removal of the President Steyn statue". National Museum Publications. June 3, 2019.
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