A striking memorial known as the Witkruis Monument or White Cross Monument, featuring thousands of white crosses, stands on private property in South Africa as a tribute to white farmers killed in farm attacks. Visible from a distance, the site was established in 2004 by the late Lita Cross Fourie, who founded it in memory of loved ones murdered in separate farm attacks before that year.
A Memorial for Lost Lives
The monument, maintained with the support of the FF Plus political party, serves as a somber reminder of the violent deaths of white farmers. Each year, new crosses are planted to honor those killed in farm attacks.
Calls for Action
The FF Plus has confirmed that the memorial currently honors only white farmers, emphasizing it as an initiative for white farmers without discrimination based on language. The party has long advocated for a specialized police unit to investigate farm attacks, a plea they say has been ignored by the government.
FF Plus expressed gratitude toward U.S. President Donald Trump for highlighting the issue, while continuing to push for policy changes in South Africa, including the reinstatement of community-based commando systems and specialized investigative units.
Things are changing. Suddenly the South African police minister Senzo Mchunu announced at his recent release of SA crime statistics that going forward the SAPS will also release regional stats. Urban, Rural and commercial farm murders will be announced to give a broader picture of murders in South Africa.
Annual Ceremony Continues
The monument remains a focal point for remembrance, with an annual cross-planting ceremony scheduled for October 3rd and 4th. As debates over farm violence persist, the site stands as both a memorial and a call to action for greater protection of South Africa’s farming communities.
The continued downplay by media and the South African government of this monument and crisis in South Africa has already claimed countless lives and 49 people had to flee as refugees and considering how this has been ignored, rightfully so.
South Africa Today has been covering farm attacks and farm murders since early 2014, read about more farm attacks here.
