Most Maties seem to think it’s not a good idea to build another statue of the late president Nelson Mandela.
Matie Media asked 100 Stellenbosch University Students for their thoughts on the City of Cape Town’s plan to erect the statue on the City Hall balcony.
The late South African president Nelson Mandela. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
Out of the 100, 87 students thought that building the statue would be a waste of money, that R3,5 million was too expensive, or that Nelson Mandela had been commemorated enough in South Africa. Only 13 out of 100 thought that it was a good idea.
In general, students felt that too many socio-economic issues still needed to be addressed in and around the city and so money going into a statue was a waste.
The Chairperson of the City’s Naming and Nomination Committee, Councillor Brett Herron, explained on the city’s website why the city wants to build another statue: “The City Hall falls within the National Liberation Heritage Route, but very little has been done to date to highlight the prominence of this landmark and the significant events that took place at City Hall in 1990.” There has also been a proposal to host a permanent exhibition at the City Hall for the purpose of creating a popular tourist attraction where other people who were involved in fighting for democracy could be honoured.
The late South African president Nelson Mandela
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
The City of Cape Town has partnered with the Western Cape government for the project and they will be funding the R3,5 million statue. The City will subsequently fund the permanent exhibition which is set to cost approximately R1,3 million a year.
The City of Cape Town started with the public-participation process on 18 April and it will continue until 21 May.
Members of the public (residents and interested and affected parties in Cape Town) are encouraged to voice their opinions, comments, input and recommendations by sending an email to transport.info@capetown.gov.za. Other methods of contacting the City are made available on the City’s website at www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay.-VONANI NGOMANA