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FREE STATE. – A total of 154 representatives from Eunice High School and 103 from Orange Secondary Girls' School formed part of a special historical commemoration when Emily Hobhouse's state funeral was recreated 100 years later at the National Women's Monument in Bloemfontein last Saturday. Orange Secondary Girls' School has a special connection with Hobhouse – 100 Orange pupils participated in her original funeral procession in 1926.
More than 650 participants took part in Saturday's procession, which brought the historic event of 1926 back to life. Hobhouse's humanitarian work among women and children after the Anglo-Boer War contributed to the dream of establishing a school where children affected by the war could be educated. Hobhouse discussed this dream with Rachel and MT Steyn on their farm Onze Rust, which ultimately became part of Orange's founding history. Orange has kept this bond alive and has laid a wreath at her grave at the foot of the Women's Monument annually since 1927 during her birthday celebration. During the commemoration, the school brought the historic funeral procession back to life in white dresses and veils carrying palm branches.
The recreation brought together pupils, choir members, staff, horses, vintage cars and spectators to pay tribute to Hobhouse's legacy as a humanitarian worker. Eunice High School said on Thursday in a social media post that it was a special privilege to be part of the commemoration. The school's choir, pupils and staff participated in the procession. Visitors could also enjoy traditional food and historical exhibitions at the event. The school gave special recognition to historian Elsabé Brits and event organiser Karen Meiring for their work in making the project possible and ensuring Eunice's participation. The event,
Hobhouse brought the dire circumstances of women and children in British concentration camps to the world's attention during the Anglo-Boer War. She died on 8 June 1926 in England. Her ashes were later placed in a niche at the foot of the National Women's Monument in Bloemfontein. Her state funeral on 27 October 1926 was South Africa's first state funeral for a woman and also the first for a foreigner.
Photo credit: Zita Filmz – Sources: Eunice High School, Anglo Boer War Museum, South African History Online, The Story of Emily, Orange Secondary Girls' School
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
