The philosopher
Joseph Mendes Da Costa, who is working on the statue of De Wet in this period, receives a second major commission from Helene. She asks him to create a monument for Martinus Steyn, president of the Orange Free State. Da Costa decides to make a bench as a monument, where the figure of President Steyn rises up from a seat in the middle. In this way, walkers can sit next to the former popular leader and ask him for advice. Helene, however, is very disappointed with the result. She feels that the sculpture is ‘so absolutely different from the essence of President Steyn that with the best will, one cannot allow the original plan to be carried out’. Ultimately, the bench is realized but with a new title: The philosopher.
