Wolraad Woltemade Comes Home
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
On 1 June 2026, Loxton Heritage Park reached an important milestone as we welcomed the Wolraad Woltemade statue to its new home and officially unveiled it alongside Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and members of the wider community.
It was a special afternoon that brought together residents, heritage enthusiasts, community organisations, local leaders, and supporters from across Cape Town to celebrate a story that has endured for more than 250 years.
We are especially grateful to Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis for taking time out of his busy schedule to join us. Our sincere thanks also go to the team at Old Mutual for their generosity and accommodation throughout the relocation process, and to Prism Employee Benefits for their involvement and support in helping bring this vision to life.
Most importantly, thank you to every member of the community who attended the unveiling and to the many individuals who worked behind the scenes to make the day possible. A special word of thanks must go to Gary van den Berg, whose tireless dedication, persistence, and passion have been instrumental in turning the vision for Loxton Heritage Park into a reality.
For those unfamiliar with the history, Wolraad Woltemade was a Cape farmer who, on 1 June 1773, rode his horse repeatedly into the stormy seas near the mouth of the Salt River to rescue sailors from the wreck of the De Jonge Thomas. Despite successfully saving fourteen men, Woltemade and his horse ultimately lost their lives during a final rescue attempt.
His courage, selflessness, and willingness to act when others stood helplessly by have ensured that his story remains one of South Africa's most enduring examples of bravery.
The statue itself has a history of its own. Sculpted by Ivan Mitford-Barberton and unveiled in 1956, it stood for decades at the Old Mutual headquarters in Pinelands, where generations of Capetonians came to know and admire it.
Its relocation to Loxton Heritage Park was never simply a change of ownership or address. The move was undertaken with purpose and meaning.
Wolraad Woltemade lost his life along the coastline of Table Bay, in the same broader landscape towards which the statue is now positioned. Today, the monument overlooks the waters connected to that remarkable act of courage, allowing visitors to experience his story within sight of the environment where it unfolded.
The connection between Woltemade and Milnerton runs even deeper. The Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club proudly incorporates Wolraad Woltemade into its club badge, recognising him as one of Milnerton's first lifesavers. More than 250 years later, his actions continue to embody the values of courage, service, and dedication that lifesavers uphold today.
In many respects, Loxton Heritage Park provides a fitting home for this important monument. It allows his story to be preserved not only through bronze and stone, but through a landscape that continues to inspire reflection on the extraordinary actions of an ordinary man who chose to help others, regardless of the personal cost.
When standing in the park, one can see Table Mountain, the Milnerton Lagoon, Woodbridge Island, the historic bridge, and the lighthouse beyond. It is a place where natural history, indigenous heritage, conservation, maritime history, and community all intersect. In many ways, it is the ideal setting for a story that reminds us of the values that connect us as people.
While the unveiling marked an important achievement, it is only one step in a much larger journey.
Loxton Heritage Park remains, first and foremost, a community project. The support shown on the day demonstrated what can be achieved when people rally behind a shared vision. As the park continues to grow, we hope to see that same enthusiasm reflected not only at special events, but also during clean-up days, planting projects, maintenance efforts, and the many practical tasks that help transform a park into a thriving community space.
Parks do not maintain themselves. Gardens do not plant themselves. Heritage is not preserved by monuments alone.
As we continue to develop the park, improve safety, establish educational and environmental initiatives, and create spaces for the wider community to enjoy, we invite everyone to play a part in its future.
Wolraad Woltemade's story is, at its heart, a story about stepping forward when help is needed. It is a reminder that communities thrive when ordinary people choose to become involved.
Together, we can ensure that this park not only honours the past but also creates something meaningful for future generations.
Because heritage is not simply what we inherit.
It is what we choose to build, protect, and leave behind.
Absolutely love this initiative! So cool to see how residents in our local hood pull together to create a "Hey that's something everyone can enjoy..."-vibe😁💙