As the Grahamstown National Arts Festival celebrates its 40-year anniversary, former member of the 1820 Settlers National Monument Committee, Thelma Neville, has taken centre stage.
As the Grahamstown National Arts Festival celebrates its 40-year anniversary, former member of the 1820 Settlers National Monument Committee, Thelma Neville, has taken centre stage.
Neville worked as a press/publicity officer and later as a liaison officer on the Monument Committee, and was partly responsible for the success of the project.
When the project was short of funds, had no sponsorship and had waning prospects, Neville sought capital and interest from various sources locally and abroad.
“I had to sell a monument that was not even built yet,” Neville told Grocott's Mail this week.
The monument was approved by the National Government in 1960 provided it was a worthy commemoration of the 1820 Settlers.
Neville was asked to join the team in 1967 and used her experience in journalism and public relations to spark interest in the project. “Guy Butler came to me and asked me if I would come and join the team as a liaison and press officer to promote the monument,” she said.
The first of three phases of the Monument was completed in 1971.
In 1972 the government supplemented the funding, which allowed for the completion of the second and third phases.
The Monument was officially opened on Saturday, 13 July 1974 and Neville recalls the ambiance of the ceremony.
“It was a lovely morning as the sun sparkled on the monument and the crowds of people gathered. It was a fulfilment of hopes and dreams," she said. "After 20 years of planning, the building was complete and everyone rejoiced. The day of the opening and the festival at night was most memorable. Looking down from what just used to be a black hilltop and seeing the life and lights around Grahamstown, I remember standing with Guy Butler and saying ‘we did it’.”
Neville said the Monument was significant in creating the Festival, which is alive and well 40 years later.
“Without the construction of the Monument, we would not have the Festival,” she said. "We are not just celebrating 40 years of the Festival; we are also celebrating 40 years of the opening of the Monument.”
Neville said she was looking forward to this year’s Festival, although she was not looking forward to scrounging for parking.
