Dutch Language Monument, Language monument in Burger Square, Burgersdorp, South Africa

The Dutch Language Monument stands in Burger Square, featuring two marble figures side by side, one complete and the other missing its head from war damage. The pair presents a visual contrast between destruction and preservation that reflects the site's complex history.

The original monument was built in 1893 but suffered damage from British troops in 1901, resulting in the loss of one statue's head. The damaged original was not discovered until 1939 when it was found buried in King William's Town, while the British government funded a replica in 1907.

Afrikaners call it the Eerste Taalmonument, and its motto is De Overwinning der Hollandsche Taal. The woman points to a book bearing that title. At the 1893 unveiling, Jan Hofmeyr toasted "Onze Taal" with the words "Lang blijve de taal bestaan". The pedestal's first plaque names D.P. van den Heever, J.H. Hofmeyr, J. Joubert and J. Luttic as early campaigners.

The monument stands in Burgersdorp's Burger Square, where the restored original and the 1907 replica are placed together on one pedestal, so both figures can be compared from the front. The inscription panels on the base face outward and are read at close range; the text is in Dutch. The square is an open public space, so there are no opening hours to plan around.

The pedestal's first plaque names D.P. van den Heever, J.H. Hofmeyr, J. Joubert and J. Luttic as the first signatories and speakers of the Dutch cause; the fourth carries the prayer "Bewaar Gij onze Taal, O Heer". The headless original, found on a King William's Town rubbish dump in 1939, now stands behind the 1907 replica.