Pietermaritzburg’s historic Weeping Cross memorial might shed tears one last time at its current location in KwaZulu-Natal’s capital city if a controversial proposal to relocate the relic is approved.
Locals are petitioning against the plan to move the cross from the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moth) garden of remembrance to Mount Memory in Winterton, a move the Moth says is motivated by “financial and security concerns”.
Since 1956, when the cross was moved from the Carbineers Garden, the garden of remembrance on Leinster Road has served as a peaceful sanctuary where visitors can witness the cross “weeping red resin” each July on the anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood.
The Battle of Delville Wood was a series of engagements in the 1916 Battle of the Somme in France during World War 1 between the armies of the German and British empires.
It was the first major conflict entered into by South Africans on the Western Front during the war. From July 14-20, a soldier was killed every minute, with one South African soldier dying every three minutes. It is regarded as one of the bloodiest battles ever fought.
The cross is inside a metal cage that is removed for parades and functions.
“On the eve of this year’s Delville Wood parade at the Weeping Cross itself, I heard of the plan to move the cross via a very indignant and outraged veteran,” said Matthew Marwick, who has started a Facebook petition page.
“I was appalled! The cross — and the unique legend that, in honour of the hundreds of South African boys who died there, it “weeps” tears of red resin every July — is a priceless, stirring part of our city’s heritage and folklore. It is poignant, mythical and rather wonderful.”
The ashes of fallen soldiers and some of their families are in the garden of remembrance. They were interred there because of both the significance of the battle and the Christian relevance of the cross
— Martin Godfrey, Moth member
Marwick said the cross belonged to Pietermaritzburg and its citizens.
“The thought that a committee of no doubt well-meaning, but very misguided, Moth members sitting in a committee room in Durban could without real consultation decide to move it far away up the N3 makes my blood boil!
“I think those of us who are part of the broad resistance to this decision to move the cross to Winterton for now hope the Moth will hear and consider our reasonable protests, which are based on the simple principle that, while the Moth have acted as the guardians of the cross, its owners are, and always have been, the citizens of Maritzburg,” Marwick said.
Martin Godfrey, a Pietermaritzburg resident and current Moth member, said the local community was “very unhappy”.
“The Weeping Cross means many things to many people — not just locally, but internationally as well. My social media posts have garnered almost 1,000 likes, comments and shares, and those shares have received further likes, comments and shares.
“The ashes of fallen soldiers and some of their families are in the garden of remembrance. They were interred there because of both the significance of the battle and the Christian relevance of the cross. Moving the memorial would, in my opinion, be incredibly disrespectful to the deceased and their current and future families,” he said.
Godfrey had not seen any requests for other proposals.
“There is little doubt that, with a concerted effort, we could approach our municipality, local business forums, local businesses, security companies and the general public for financial assistance to help secure the facility. At this stage, there is no legal challenge, but my Shellhole [branch] has made written representations to the Moth,” he said.
Moth spokesperson Philip McLachlan defended the proposal.
“One of the motivations for relocating the cross is that it will enable the Moth district members, who are about 69 years old, to better secure and maintain it.”
The Weeping Cross has been in the possession of the Moth since 1956. No outside entity has ever contributed significantly, either financially or with manpower, towards its upkeep.”
He said the Moth was engaging with KwaZulu-Natal heritage watchdog Amafa to map out the way forward.
“This is a storm in a teacup blown out of all proportion on social media. Other than badmouthing the Moth, no practical assistance has been forthcoming.”
Amafa did not respond to a request for comment. However, heritage specialist Ros Devereux said the site was not specifically protected as a heritage site, and that the cross had not been identified as a heritage object.
However, the structure in which it has been installed was specifically designed to house the cross in 1958, making it more than 60 years old.
“All structures that are more than 60 years of age are generally protected, and a permit must be obtained from the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute and the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority for any alterations to the structure, including the removal of the cross, which is a fitting and fixture associated with it.”
“Since this is a highly sensitive issue, Amafa must consider the outcome of the public consultation process. The meeting at which the final decision is taken will be open to the public, and those who submit objections will be invited to attend the online meeting,” she said.
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