5 Best Monuments and Statues in Hazyview

Hazyview is that unassuming little Mpumalanga town most people only pass through on their way to Kruger National Park, but it has far more layers than the average safari gateway. Tucked between rolling citrus orchards, rugged mountain outcrops, and the edge of one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves, it’s got a rich, complicated history that most visitors never get to see if they only stop for a quick bite before heading into the park.

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These five monuments and statues are the perfect way to dig into that hidden history, no complicated tours or expensive tickets required. They’re suited for everyone from solo history buffs to families with teens, and fit easily into a day of game drives, bungee jumping on the nearby Sugarbird Route, or lazy afternoons eating braai at a local lodge.

1. Hazyview War Memorial and Unknown Soldier Statue

Right in the middle of Hazyview’s central shopping district, this quiet, tree-shaded memorial is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but it’s one of the most moving spots in town. The life-sized bronze statue of the unknown soldier, head bowed with his rifle reversed, honors local men who died fighting in World War I, World War II, and the South African Border War, and the surrounding walls are engraved with the names of every fallen servicemember from the Hazyview area. The small gardens around it are planted with native Lowveld shrubs, and it’s almost always empty, so you can take your time reading the names and reflecting without being rushed.

It’s perfect for anyone who likes quiet, respectful historical spots, whether you’re a dedicated military history fan or just want to pause and honor the people who lived in the area long before the safari lodges popped up. It’s also a great, low-key stop for families with older kids, as it’s a gentle way to introduce conversations about war, sacrifice, and local history without the overwhelm of a big, crowded museum.

• Best time: Stop by first thing in the morning around 8am, or late afternoon after 4pm, when the midday sun has softened and there’s almost no foot traffic. The light is also much better for photos if you want to snap a quiet shot of the statue without crowds in the background.
• Booking tip: No advance booking is needed, and entry is completely free. The memorial is maintained by the local Hazyview Veterans Association, so a small donation of 10 to 20 ZAR (around $0.50 to $1) goes directly to upkeep and events they hold for local veterans’ families.

2. Ndzhaka Cultural Monument and Chief Sunduza Statue

A 10-minute drive from central Hazyview, this monument sits on the edge of the Ndzhaka Tsonga community, and it’s one of the most important cultural sites in the Lowveld for anyone who wants to learn about Indigenous history outside of colonial narratives. The towering, hand-cast bronze statue of Chief Sunduza, who led the Tsonga people through violent colonial land dispossession in the late 1800s, is incredibly striking: he’s depicted in full traditional regalia, holding a staff and looking out over the land his people have lived on for centuries. The surrounding interpretive panels tell the story of Chief Sunduza’s leadership, Tsonga cultural traditions, and the ongoing work of the Ndzhaka community to preserve their heritage.

This spot is perfect for cultural travelers, anyone interested in Indigenous African history, and families who want to teach their kids about the full, unvarnished history of the area beyond the safari-focused stories most tour operators tell. The small craft stalls set up near the monument on weekdays sell hand-beaded jewelry, wooden carvings, and traditional textiles made by local artisans, and buying directly from them supports the Ndzhaka community’s cultural preservation work.

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• Best time: Visit on a weekday morning before 10am, before local school groups start arriving for field trips. You’ll have space to read the panels at your own pace, and the caretakers who work on site are usually free to chat and answer questions about the monument and the community.
• Booking tip: No advance booking is required, but you can pay 50 ZAR (around $3) for a 30-minute guided walk with a local Ndzhaka community member at the small information kiosk on site. The guides share stories and details that aren’t included on the panels, and the fee goes directly to community cultural programs.

3. Kruger Gate Historical Marker and Ranger Tribute Statue

You can’t miss this one if you’re visiting Kruger National Park, as it sits right at the entrance to the Paul Kruger Gate, the main public entrance to the park just on the edge of Hazyview. The life-sized bronze statue of a Kruger park ranger, holding a pair of binoculars and a rifle, is dedicated to the more than 100 rangers who have died protecting the park’s wildlife from poachers and illegal loggers since it was founded in 1898. The accompanying historical marker tells the story of the park’s founding, the role Hazyview played as the main supply and tourist hub for early rangers, and the ongoing conservation work that keeps the park running today.

This spot is ideal for anyone visiting Kruger, whether you’re on a luxury safari, a self-drive trip, or just popping in for a day visit. It’s a great, low-effort way to connect with the park’s history and the people who work to protect it before you head in to spot the Big Five, and the small shaded seating area nearby is a perfect spot to stretch your legs and grab a quick snack before or after your game drive.

• Best time: Stop by right as you enter or exit the park, before 9am or after 3pm, to avoid the long lines of cars and tour buses that clog the entrance during midday. You’ll have plenty of space to read the marker and take photos without being rushed by other visitors.
• Booking tip: No advance booking is needed, and there’s no fee to visit the monument. If you’re coming with a tour operator or staying at a safari lodge near Hazyview, just ask them to add a 10-minute stop here to your itinerary, and most will do it for free as a quick add-on to your park visit.

4. Phabenieng Refugee Heritage Monument and Mother and Child Statue

This powerful, often overlooked monument sits 15 minutes outside central Hazyview, in the Phabenieng township, and it honors the thousands of Mozambican refugees who fled the country’s brutal civil war in the 1980s and 1990s, many of whom settled in the Hazyview area. The life-sized bronze statue of a mother carrying her young child on her back, looking south towards safety, is deeply moving, and the surrounding engraved walls list the names of refugees who died during the dangerous cross-border journey to get to South Africa. The interpretive panels explain the history of the refugee crisis, how the local Hazyview community welcomed refugees, and the ongoing work of refugee support groups in the area.

This spot is perfect for travelers interested in modern African history, social justice, or anyone who wants to learn about the less touristy, more human side of Hazyview’s past. It’s a quiet, respectful space, and the local caretaker who is almost always on site is happy to share personal stories about the refugee crisis if you’re interested, as long as you approach the space with the respect it deserves.

• Best time: Visit in the late afternoon after 3pm, when the sun is less harsh and the caretaker is still on site to answer questions. The soft light at that time also makes the statue look even more striking if you want to take photos, just be sure to ask the caretaker first out of respect for the space.
• Booking tip: No advance booking is required, and entry is completely free. A small donation of 20 to 30 ZAR (around $1 to $2) goes directly to the caretaker who maintains the monument and the local refugee support group that runs the small community center next door.

5. Lowveld Agricultural Pioneers Monument and Settler Family Statue

This quirky, charming monument sits on the edge of Hazyview, near the town’s old agricultural research station, and it honors the early European and Asian settlers who first farmed the Lowveld area in the early 1900s, turning the rugged bushland into the citrus and sugarcane farms that still dominate the local economy today. The bronze statue of a settler family—father holding a farming tool, mother holding a basket of ripe citrus, young child holding a small goat—captures the hard, hopeful work of those early families, and the small attached exhibit has old farming tools, photos of early Hazyview, and stories of the challenges settlers faced building a life in the hot, wildlife-filled Lowveld.

This spot is perfect for anyone who likes off-the-beaten-path, niche historical sites, agricultural history buffs, or travelers who want to learn about the less famous side of Hazyview’s history beyond safaris and war memorials. It’s almost always empty, so you can wander the small exhibit and the surrounding orchards at your own pace, and if you visit during harvest season, the air smells like ripe citrus, which is a nice bonus. The small on-site fruit stand run by local farmers sells fresh picked oranges, grapefruits, and naartjies for less than a dollar each, so it’s a great spot to grab a cheap, delicious snack.

• Best time: Visit between May and August, the Lowveld’s citrus harvest season, when the surrounding orchards are full of ripe fruit and the fruit stand is fully stocked with the season’s best picks. The weather is also cooler during those months, so it’s more comfortable to wander the outdoor exhibit.
• Booking tip: No advance booking is needed, and entry is free. If you’re interested in learning more about Lowveld farming history, you can book a 1-hour tour with a local retired farmer at the Hazyview tourism office a day in advance, which costs 100 ZAR (around $6) and includes a tasting of local citrus juices and jams.

Most people come to Hazyview for the safari thrills, the bungee jumps off the Sabie River gorge, or the scenic views from the top of the Drakensberg escarpment, but these five monuments add a layer of depth and connection to the area that you won’t get from any game drive or tourist trap. They’re small, easy to visit, and full of the stories of the people who built, fought for, and call this part of South Africa home, and they’ll turn a standard safari trip into something a little more meaningful.