On Monday, November 7, KKL-JNF held a cornerstone ceremony for the "Honorary South African Garden" dedicated to Israel-supporting anti-apartheid activists in park that is being constructed in Tel Mond. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Head of the Tel Mond Municipality Lynn Kaplan and the management of KKL-South Africa, who supported the project.
Thirty-six trees will be planted in the site, each with a plaque featuring the name of an activist and a QR code leading to a short biography. In addition, the park will also feature a statue sculpted by a South African artist and benches for visitors. The project's consecration ceremony is planned for December, when its completion is due.
The commemorated activists were Jews who supported Israel, among them doctors, musicians, judges, politicians and many others. The apartheid regime led a racist policy of separation between white and black residents, while giving a privileged status to the white minority, from 1948 to 1994.
Shariel Gon, Director of Resource Development at KKL-JNF: "KKL-JNF is proud to announce the Honorary South African Garden project, commemorating the Jewish activists who fought the racist apartheid regime. All of them had strong affinity and sympathy towards Israel, and they all took part in the struggle because they were Zionists. The plants that will be planted in the new garden at Tel Mond will commemorate their heroics and will remind us how the continuous struggle against racism and hate is our moral duty."
Lynn Kaplan, Head of the Tel Mond Municipality: "Today we express our appreciation of the generous contribution of KKL-South Africa to the commemoration of Israel-supporting anti-apartheid activists. The special method of commemoration chosen by KKL-JNF is the dedication of an area in the park called "The Siabonga Garden" – named after the word for "thank you" in the Zulu language – where 40 trees, each dedicated to a different activist and carrying a barcode with the details, will be planted. I want to express my thanks on behalf of all the people of Tel Mond."
Photograph: Dennis Tzin