We are Still Here Monument

About We are Still Here Monument

In the heart of Cape Town the "We are still here" monument lies outside the Central Library on Longmarket pedestrian mall. It is both disturbing and moving. Almost hidden along the leafy byway, the mosaic framed art piece displays copies of advertisements that appeared in the Cape Government Gazette.

Between 1841 and 1921 some 7 000 children were advertised in this newspaper as destitute. If they remained unclaimed by anyone prepared to support them, after the adverts went live, they were indentured as labourers.

Did you know? There are hundreds of these adverts - each clay tile is an advert, but you need to look closely to read them as one sees only the face of a young boy from afar.

The low-key memorial, the work of Lovell Friedman and Leora Lewis, was installed in 2011. The red mosaic frame of the work contains drawings and written contributions by current street children.

We are Still Here is not the only piece of avant garde street art on the Longmarket pedestrian mall between Buitenkant and Plein Streets. The Cissie Gool memorial, by artist Ruth Sacks, is also along this passage. Cissie Gool was the first black woman in the country to serve in local government in 1938.

Other mosaics by Lovell Friedman line the walkways of the IRT station adjacent to the Cape Town Stadium and relate the area's history, particularly the activities that have taken place along the walkway in the past.