Weinberg Family Monument

Also known as Family Portrait

Last Updated: July 15, 2025

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About Weinberg Family Monument

The artwork is the focal piece of a neighbourhood park in Savoy which was named in honour of the Weinberg Family in 2014.

The monument consists of two main elements: firstly, a plinth topped with a portrait of Eli and Violet Weinberg; and secondly, facing onto the plinth, an old-fashioned camera, through which to view the portraits (Eli Weinberg began his career as a photographer in the 1920s, so references for the camera are taken from that era). Inside the camera are portraits of the Weinberg children, Mark and Sheila.

Address

Park bounded by Lennox Street and Granville Road, Savoy Estate

History

The monument was commissioned by Community Development (Arts, Culture and Heritage) in 2013/14.

Statement of Significance

Over generations of struggle, the Weinberg family of white democrats made a significant contribution to a free South Africa. Eli Weinberg (1908-1981), his wife Violet (1916-1993) and daughter Sheila (1945-2004) faced imprisonment, bannings and attacks on their home. In 1965 all three were imprisoned; Eli and Violet for Communist Party activities, and Sheila for painting ANC slogans. Sheila’s brother Mark died in that year aged 24, at a time when both parents were in jail.

Inscription

An explanatory panel bears the following inscription: WEINBERG FAMILY PARK Over generations of struggle, the Weinberg family made a significant contribution to a democratic South Africa. Eli Weinberg, his wife Violet and daughter Sheila faced bannings, imprisonment and attacks on their home. Sheila’s brother Mark died in 1965 aged 24, at a time when both parents were in jail. After rocks were repeatedly thrown through the windows of the Weinberg home, the broken windows were not replaced. Eli Weinberg began working as a professional photographer in 1926, and ran a successful studio for many years, continuing even while under house arrest. Signwriting from the historic Weinberg photographic studio has been reproduced on the name-wall for this park. The artwork Family Portrait (2014) is by Hannelie Coetzee and Drew Lindsay

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 …”