Cape Town’s Forgotten WWI Heroes: A Memorial to South Africa’s Lost Soldiers

For over a century, the names and sacrifices of thousands of Black South African soldiers who perished in World War I remained largely forgotten. Now, a groundbreaking memorial in Cape Town’s historic Company’s Gardens seeks to correct this historical oversight by honoring 1,772 men who gave their lives in Africa’s brutal wartime theaters.

A Long Overdue Recognition

On January 22, 2024, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will unveil a unique memorial, composed of African iroko hardwood posts inscribed with each soldier’s name and date of death. This initiative aims to right a historical wrong by acknowledging those who were excluded from previous commemorations due to the racial politics of the time.

The memorial is dedicated to non-combatants—porters, laborers and drivers—who played a crucial role in the war effort, particularly in the East African and German South West African campaigns. Unlike their white counterparts, these men were often unrecognized, despite their essential contributions to military operations.

The Forgotten Sacrifices of South African Soldiers

Among the many names finally receiving recognition are Dolly Jenniker and Zulu Madhliwa, who drowned while ferrying supplies across the flooded Orange River in 1915. Jenniker’s widow in Port Elizabeth never saw him again, while Madhliwa’s father in Amanzimtoti only learned of his son’s fate when he received his unpaid wages in the mail. Their stories are emblematic of the 1,700 South Africans of color who perished in World War I but remained unacknowledged for decades.

This oversight persisted despite the CWGC’s original 1917 mandate to commemorate all war dead without distinction. The disparity arose from systemic racism that saw Black South Africans relegated to non-combatant roles and, in many cases, omitted from war records. The discovery of handwritten casualty records in 2017 at the South African National Defence Force Documentation Centre finally provided tangible proof of their service and sacrifice.

The War in Africa: A Harsh and Overlooked Battlefield

While Europe bore the brunt of World War I’s notoriety, Africa was also a major battleground. The East African campaign was particularly brutal, with German commander Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck employing guerrilla tactics that prolonged the war and caused mass casualties. Unlike European conflicts dominated by trench warfare, African battles involved treacherous landscapes, deadly diseases and logistical nightmares.

One of the war’s greatest maritime tragedies was the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917, which claimed the lives of 607 Black South African soldiers. Their bravery has since been widely commemorated, but thousands of others who perished in Africa remained unnamed—until now.

A Tragic Voyage: The Aragon Incident

Another largely forgotten disaster was the fate of over 100 men aboard the HMT Aragon in 1917. Deployed to East Africa, they succumbed to malaria and malnutrition while being repatriated under horrific conditions. Reports revealed that when the ship left Kilwa Kisiwani, the men were already critically ill, with medical officers failing to provide adequate care. Many died at sea, their bodies unceremoniously committed to the ocean. The families of these soldiers, including descendants like Mbonsiwa Maliya, have waited over a century for their ancestors to be properly remembered.

The Memorial’s Significance

Situated near South Africa’s National Museum and National Library, the Cape Town memorial will serve as a permanent testament to these men’s sacrifices. Unlike traditional war cemeteries, this memorial is designed to be interactive and educational, encouraging visitors to reflect on a history that has long been marginalized.

Koleka Putuma, a South African poet, co-wrote a commemorative poem for the unveiling, stating: “These men—grandfathers, sons, brothers—were sent far from home to fight in a war that was not theirs. Their names and stories have been obscured by time, but this memorial seeks to correct that, to give voice to their lives, and to remember them as more than just a footnote.”

A Step Toward Justice

While this memorial is a crucial first step in recognizing South Africa’s overlooked war heroes, the CWGC is already planning future initiatives to honor at least 89,000 Black East African soldiers who died in World War I. Their sacrifices were instrumental in shaping modern Africa and their recognition is long overdue.

The unveiling of the Cape Town memorial marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to ensure that history acknowledges all those who served—regardless of race or rank. It serves as a powerful reminder that true remembrance must be inclusive, ensuring that the stories of forgotten soldiers finally receive the honor they deserve.