Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

The Eastern Cape department of sports, recreation, arts and culture on Friday unveiled a monument in memory of black South Africans who died during the Anglo-Boer War between 1899 and 1901.

The R130000 monument is situated at Dukathole in Aliwa North, Eastern Cape.

Provincial spokesman Manzi Vabaza said the department had decided to honour black victims who died in the concentration camps during that war.

"Black people played a significant role during the war," said Vabaza, adding that the war was referred to as a "White man's war".

He said women and children lost their lives in the concentration camps set up by the British.

There was evidence in Aliwal North of the concentration camps and the graves of people who died in them.

"In the same town there are memorials of Boer and British soldiers who died during the war," said Vabaza.

He said the provincial government and the community saw it appropriate to commemorate the unsung black heroes.