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University of the Witwatersrand, War Memorial
Johannesburg, Gauteng

Moses KOTTLER: Sculptor

Date:n.d.
Type:Memorial
Status:Extant

 


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Coordinates:
26°11'30.52" S 28°01'48.21" E Alt: 1769m

The War Memorial on East Campus has a fine bronze sculpture by Moses Kottler, comprising three larger than life nudes standing side by side with linking hands. The central female figure is flanked on either side by a male figure - the male on the left is raising his right hand and gazing upwards. The three figures represent the sacrifice of war.

The memorial is positioned in the re-entrant corner formed by the temple facade of Central Block (now the Robert Sobukwe Block) and the west wing of the building - overlooking a flowerbed - which was originally a large reflecting pond.

A set of three bronze commemorative plaques are mounted directly to the north of the memorial on the low wall which formed the substantial raised surround of the reflecting pond.

The wording on the three plaques is recorded below:

TO THE MEMORY OF
STUDENTS, GRADUATES
AND MEMBERS OF STAFF

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE TWO WORLD WARS
1914 - 1918 * 1939 - 1945

THEIR NAMES ARE INSCRIBED
ON A ROLL OF HONOUR
PRESERVED IN THE LIBRARY

Reference:
Munro, K and Knight, N Mindshapes: Sculptures at Wits, Wits Review, April 2010.