Democracy is Dialogue

Also known as Monument to Democracy

Last Updated: July 7, 2025

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democracyisdialogue1 lucille davie

democracyisdialogue2 lucille davie

democracyisdialogue3 lucille davie

democracyisdialogue4 lucille davie

About Democracy is Dialogue

The monumental bronze sculpture depicts a black woman demonstrator carrying a baby on her back. A placard held up by the figure carries the slogan “Democracy is Dialogue”. In her other hand, she holds a candle in a bottle.

The bronze statue is 3.6 metres in height, elevated on three tapered steel columns which are 3.5 metres high. The statue stands on a raised platform on the western side of Beyers Naude Square, which also functions as the forecourt of the Central Library, with the figure facing towards the old City Hall, now the Gauteng Legislature.

The artwork lines up on a central axis with the Cenotaph on the eastern portion of Beyers Naude Square – suggesting a possible dialogue between the struggle monument and the military memorial. Visually, the two monuments help to bridge and connect the space between the two anchor buildings which define the central civic square, namely the Central Library and the Gauteng Legislature.

Address

Square bounded by Simmonds Street, in the east, Pixley Seme Street in the west, Albertina Sisulu Street in the south, and Helen Joseph Street (formerly President Street) in the north. Access off Fraser Street.

History

The artwork was commissioned by the Department Of Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, with the Johannesburg Development Agency as the implementing agent.

The monument was officially unveiled by the Executive Mayor, Clr Parks Tau on 24 August 2015, as a highlight of activities to mark Women’s Month.

Statement of Significance

The artwork pays tribute to women as drivers of social and political transformation. It engages with the heritage of the site at Beyers Naude Square, which has been a popular venue for protest movements for over 100 years. This tradition of popular protests and demonstrations continues up to the present. The sculpture adds another layer of history to Beyers Naude Square.

Inscription

DEMOCRACY IS DIALOGUE This monument to democracy was officially unveiled by The Executive Mayor of The City of Johannesburg Clr. Mpho Parks Tau on 24 August 2015. The artwork honours women as drivers of social change. It speaks to the heritage of the site, which has served as a popular venue for protest movements for over 100 years, a tradition which continues up to the present. ARTIST: LAWRENCE LEMAOANA

Legal Status

Protected under Section 37 of the National Heritage Resources Act (Public Monuments and Memorials). “Public monuments and memorials must, without the need to publish a notice to this effect, be protected in the same manner as places which are entered in a heritage register …”.