CATEGORY WINNER: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Matola Raid Monument and Interpretive Centre, Mozambique
The Matola Raid Monument and Interpretive
Centre commemorates the raid into Mozambique
on 31 January 1981 by the then South African
Government’s forces, who attacked 3 strategically
targeted houses used by Umkhonto we Sizwe,
resulting in 13 casualties. The project is located in
Matola, the largest suburb of Maputo, the capital
city of Mozambique.
The project was conceived between the
Mozambique Ministry of Culture and the South
African Department of Arts and Culture in a
Memorandum of Understanding for the development
of a Monument and Interpretive Centre. The South
African Department of Public Works was appointed
to execute the design and construction of the project.
This opportunity allowed the design to integrate
the Monument and Interpretive Centre with
natural pedestrian and vehicular movements of the
community. The project has been a catalyst for the
development of small businesses and has become
an informal meeting place for the local community.
Monument
Three red obelisks symbolic of the 3 houses raided
are orientated in the direction of the houses and
placed on radiating lines towards the location of the
houses. A stainless steel Wreath Wall has a reverse
cut of the outline of the maps of South Africa and
Mozambique. This will allow a shadow to be cast
over the concrete cenotaph below in perfect outline
at 12:00 on 31 January each year. The pathway over
the Monument is used daily by the community and
respectfully deviates around the obelisks.
SAPOA Awards
The edge of the pathway is defined by the
“frontline wall” honouring the states which opposed
the South African Government during the struggle.
Interpretive Centre
The Interpretive Centre is orientated East\ West.
The raid is associated with the sunset to the west
and the later emergence of a free South Africa
symbolically represented by the sunrise to the east.
Internally, a ramp slopes down into the darkened
exhibition hall remembering the descent of the
freedom fighters underground while the exit ramp
emerges upward into the light and the new South
Africa. The sun screen is “slashed” representing
the effect of explosions on the houses under attack
during the raid and allowing flashes of light into
the building in deliberately unstructured patterns.
The first floor is intended to serve the community
which was affected by the raid and provides a place
for internet workstations for use by learners. The
Interpretive Centre provides for visitors and formal
tours by school children.
Developer: The Department of Arts and Culture
Architects: Impendulo Design Architects
Quantity Surveyors: AECOM
Civil Engineers: AECOM
Mechanical: AECOM
Electrical: AECOM
Fire: AECOM
Main Contractor:
Stefanutti Stocks Mozambique
Other: Memory Inc
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