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The Old Slave Tree Memorial - Cape Town

Round concrete memorial, marks the tree site where slaves were once sold  © HelenOnline, License

The Old Slave Tree Memorial - Cape Town

The Old Slave Tree Memorial in Cape Town stands as a poignant reminder of South Africa’s colonial and slavery history. This memorial inscribed with the text: "On this spot stood the old slave tree / Op hierdie plek het die ou slaweboom gestaan", can be located at ground level on a traffic median in Spin Street near the Cape Town High Court. This marks the spot where a large old tree once stood,a place historically associated with slave auctions during the 18th and 19th centuries. The original tree no longer exists, but its location and the plaque commemorate a dark period when thousands of enslaved people were sold and traded in the Cape Colony.

The Cape Colony's use of slavery began under the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the mid-17th century, continuing under British rule well into the early 1800s before slavery was abolished in 1834. The memorial reflects on the harsh realities and indignities faced by those enslaved, serving as a somber reminder and a call for reflection on this part of South Africa’s history. Today, it is an important heritage site within the city and stands as a symbol of acknowledgment and remembrance of the injustices suffered during this era.

The memorial site was highlighted during World Design Capital Cape Town 2014.

Location: -33.925421405056355, 18.421306062883453


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