Long Overdue Recognition: Memorial Unveiled for Black South African WWI Servicemen
A memorial in Cape Town honors over 1,700 Black South African servicemen who died in World War I, recognizing their contributions after a century of neglect.
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Overview
A new memorial in Cape Town dignifies over 1,700 Black South African servicemen who perished during World War I in non-combat roles. The servicemen, who were not permitted to bear arms and primarily supported the war effort in African conflicts, remained unacknowledged due to colonial and apartheid racial policies. Their names are now memorialized on wooden poles, ensuring their legacies are not forgotten. Opened by Princess Anne, the memorial represents a significant historical reconciliation over a century after their death, attended by family members who laid wreaths in remembrance.
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