!!!PETITION!!!

AGAINST THE RELOCATION & DEFACING OF THE VAN DER MERWE-MEMORIAL

Join us in our opposition against the senseless destruction of Robertson’s heritage. Due devotion in laughable conspiracy theories and historical misinformation the memorial honouring the late august Ds. H. P. van der Merwe is slated to be moved from its place of honour and be defaced. 

Ds. H. P. van der Merwe was instrumental in the streetscape of Church Street and oversaw the construction of the iconic Dutch Reformed Mother Church which overlooks all of Church Street and dominates Robertson’s skyline. Various beautiful buildings that characterise the aesthetic of Church Street and the stunning old schools were built under his influence. The mission station serving the underprivileged was also expanded under his purview. Ds. Van der Merwe served Robertson’s people for more than two decades and this memorial was dedicated to him by a grateful and loyal congregation.

This memorial took the shape of an obelisk in keeping with artistic styles of the times as the world was in the grips of Egypto-mania following the discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb. This memorial, when viewed on entering from Church Street, forms part of a triptych of obelisks with the other two decorating the graves of other influential figures. The obelisk communicates the eminence in which the memory of Ds. Van der Merwe was held after he passed away shortly after moving to serve the community in Cradock. 

However, this current Church Council who enjoys his legacy have chosen to not only move this memorial but to deface it by severing the pillar from the base. This vandalism is apparently to make the memorial less offensive and sexual (in front of the doors it immaturely is described as sexual) in their eyes.  Incorrectly and ignorantly even the Freemasons are mentioned as part of some conspiratorial cabal hidden in plain sight. Even more frivolously alleged complaints were raised regarding the memorial (which has stood there for nearly a century) ruining wedding photography. For such ludicrously vapid and ignorant reasons this memorial is to be desecrated, this in a town bereft of monuments. 

So please help us in petitioning the Church Council and Heritage authority to halt this grievous action tantamount to heritage crime. Please sign and share this petition and or register your grievance to the authorities.