SS01

The vast paved open space was created and designed in the late 1960s and the sculptures unveiled in early 1970s. These included a gigantic bust of Strijdom with a huge concrete canopy, four wild horses symbolising the four provinces of the RSA (as they were at the time), and the sculpture 'Applause' in front of the State Theatre. The overbearing scale of the buildings, structures and space made it inhospitable.In 2002 the Strijdom bust collapsed and fell through into the parking garage below. It has been taken to Strijdom's home town where it can be viewed. The horses on their massive column remain but the fountain appears no longer to be working. Church Street is a pedestrian mall and the square has been appropriated to serve as a flea market so that the entire area has become much more lively.