Voortrekker Monument update

THE Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria has completed the upgrades of its ablution facilities, while the construction of the new curio shop (which will include Internet facilities) and kiosk are scheduled to open by December 15, according to the Monument's ceo, Gert Opperman.
He said other improvements such as the transfer of the museum from its present position to the new venue inside the Monument should be completed by the aforementioned date, while various projects at Fort Schanskop, situated north-east of the Monument but still in the reserve, will be formally opened in January 2001.
"Fort Schanskop is undoubtedly the best restored Anglo- Boer War fortress around Pretoria, and the new toilets, 375-seater open-air amphitheatre, the new museum and a lapa, should all be finished by the beginning of December," he said.
Opperman added that due to the traditional church service of the Day of the Vow, only church-goers will be allowed to enter the Monument between 08h00 and 13h00 on December 16 this year.
"Experience has shown that it is impossible to accommodate any other visitors in the Monument before or during the church service. A video recording will however be made of the passing of the sun over the Cenotaph at noon, and will be available for other visitors to view on big screens in the Monument later in the day," he concluded.

(Miguel de Sousa)