The date for the unveiling of the bronze statues of Nelson Mandela outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium will be announced on Sunday. There is another statue of Oliver Tambo, situated along the north beach promenade.
Image: Enzo Coppola / Facebook
As the coastal city of Durban eagerly awaits the unveiling of two monumental statues celebrating South Africa's Struggle icons, all eyes are on eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, who is set to provide crucial updates during a media briefing on Sunday.
The nine-meter statues of former president Nelson Mandela and ANC leader Oliver Tambo, costing taxpayers R22 million, situated along the scenic north beach promenade and at Moses Mabhida Stadium, respectively, have sparked controversy since their inception.
The controversy began when they were first passed by the eThekwini council in 2019, and again in October 2022, when the municipality approved R1 million for their installation, which left opposition political parties fuming.
Initially, the statues were to be placed outside Durban City Hall, but a sudden change of plans caught the municipal councilors off guard. Mandela’s statue is located in the parking lot of Moses Mabhida Stadium, facing Kings Park Athletic Stadium.
The municipality stated that this was part of the government’s broader programme to transform the country’s heritage landscape, reflect the diverse history of its people, and promote local tourism.
Additionally, it was noted that South Africa's inherited heritage landscape was heavily skewed and not inclusive, as it aimed to preserve and celebrate the history and heritage of the white minority. The municipality stated in its report that most statues only depict the bravery and history of the colonists and apartheid architects.
Xaba will also update the public on: