On Tuesday 18 July 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled two new human size statues of former South African President and struggle icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. The two statues were unveiled as part of the International Nelson Mandela Day celebration, in Mthataand Qunu Eastern Cape.
The first statue was unveiled at the Bhunga Building in Mthata. The second statue was unveiled at a Youth and Heritage Centre, located at Mandela’s birth place Qunu.
“The Statue we unveiled earlier today in Mthatha depicts Madiba in the role for which he was most well-known, that of a statesman.”, said Cyril Ramaphosa during his keynote address at the unveiling of the statue in Qunu.
He further added that the statue in Qunu aims to portrayNelson Mandela in his Xhosa-Tembu culture attire. Which will remind people of the traditional values he lived by and that shaped his consciousness.
The two statues are said to be used as beacons of hope for communities that are still facing the struggles of marginalisation, poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.
“This commemorative statue was unveiled by His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, on the 18th of July 2023. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of the father of our Nation, the struggle icon and former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.”, as the message imprinted on the statue in Qunu reads.
These two statues of Nelson Mandela cost over R3 million Rand. Now, the value of these two statues caused a stir amongst South Africans. As some believe that the money spent on these two statues, could have been used to fundother projects which could have directly benefited the poor and marginalised communities in the country, especially in terms of service delivery, unemployment and other key issues.
However, the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyaneargued that the Nelson Mandela statues are more about social cohesion and not about money that is being spent. “This is a tourist attraction, that’s why we must fight crime here, that’s why we must normalise the situation in this part of the province. People who come and see President Mandela, even if they pass through here, when they see the statue outside, they see President Mandela. So, it is important to have these statues of President Mandela as our leader, as the first president of our country.”, says Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.
The President of South Africa called upon the residents of Qunu to protect and look after these sites of memorialisation and commemoration. He further encouraged South Africans to honour Mandela Day by dedicating 67 minutes of their time towards performing acts of goodwill towards other people.
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Written by: Prince Neo Mokwena
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