Freedom Park is the creation of a memorial that narrates the story of South Africa’s pre-colonial, colonial, apartheid, and post-apartheid history and heritage, spanning a period of 3.6 billion years of humanity, to acknowledge those that contributed to the freedom of the country.

It is also home to the Wall of Names - an awe-inspiring structure (697m), inscribed with the names of those who died during eight conflicts within South Africa’s history.

One of the 11 Presidential Legacy Projects, Freedom Park was launched on 01 June 2000 as a response to the need identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for symbolic reparation of past conflicts in the history of South Africa. It is the product of the many processes engaged in by Government since 1994 to create and foster a new national consciousness of the common legacy that binds the people of South Africa.

Freedom Park Wall of Names

The Park is located on a 52-hectare site on Salvokop in Pretoria - a vantage point that offers visitors a spectacular panorama of our capital city and beyond. Visitors are guaranteed to stand in awe at the sharply contrasting view, offering the opposites of our world; the hustle and industry of the city centre to the north and the tranquility and lush vegetation to the south.

Freedom Park opened its doors in December 2007. Since then, the Park has become the place where South African citizens and international tourists alike have found a haven to reflect on the past, but more importantly, also found a beacon for the future.

The monument was constructed by Stefanutti Stocks and overseen by Mongane Wally Serote.

In March 2009, twenty-four deceased "liberation struggle heroes" were proposed for inclusion to the memorial. Some of the "national leaders" chosen include Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo, Helen Joseph, Albert Luthuli, and Bram Fischer.

International and continental leaders were also among those considered for their contribution to the liberation of South Africa or the repressed in general.

(Info sources: Wikipedia and http://www.freedompark.co.za)