About the project

Koketso Growth was commissioned in 2013 by the Department of Arts and Culture to lead and manage the creation of a conceived 500 life-size bronze sculptures for the National Heritage Monument and Heroes’ Acre in Fountains Valley, Groenkloof Reserve, City of Tshwane. These public art commissions carried out by South Africa’s leading and most promising sculptors amount to form the country’s largest ever sculptural project. The first 56 bronze figures were unveiled during a project launch in 2015 that signified the opening of the National Heritage Monument and Heroes’ Acre. To date, 56 life-size bronze figures representing prominent figures from South Africa’s history have been designed, commissioned and produced. The project has generated 100’s of job opportunities and enabled the training of numerous less experienced artists and crafts people.

Importance

The National Heritage Monument and Heroes’ Acre is possibly the country’s most significant heritage initiative, a conceived world class visitor attraction that will act as a visual testament to the South Africa’s fight for liberation over the last four centuries. At its centre is ‘The Long March to Freedom’, a monumental parade of over 500 bronze statues of those who helped create a free South Africa.

The project has generated hundreds of job opportunities for talented South African artists and enabled the training of numerous less experienced artists and crafts people.

Our Role

The making of hundreds of life-size figures is in itself a monumental undertaking, involving numerous researchers, sculptors, artists and casting foundries across South Africa, as well as experienced and skilled team of project leaders to bring it all together.

Koketso Growth has and continues to successfully manage and implement every facet of this large-scale project, including:

• Conceptualisation and Design of all 500 statues
• Planning and Project Management
• Professional Team, Client and Stakeholder Management
• Manufacture
• Construction, installation and Engineering
• Unveiling

Walter Sisulu

Oliver Tambo