Old Juju Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have even gone so far as to “necklace” the Uitenhage war memorial.
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance condemned the “senseless call” by the EFF to destruct monuments. They need to understand that you cannot erase history simply by destroying history.
Need we not learn from the past?
The DA says in a statement “it is precisely the failure to learn from the oppression and deep suffering of the South African War, that contributed towards the rise of Afrikaner nationalism that found political expression in the construction of the Apartheid edifice, and the oppression of millions of South Africans. Attempting to destroy this monument in Uitenhage only reaffirms an ignorance of the past that does not serve the democratic project. The historical mission handed over to us by our first democratic President Nelson Mandela, challenges us to pursue a truly transformed, inclusive society based on reconciliation.”
President Mandela did not support the destruction of monuments, but rather the building of new ones, and the incorporation of existing monuments into an inclusive vision for the future of our society.
This inclusive vision can only be achieved through constructive dialogue that recognizes the pain of our past, and a creative re-imagining of our public spaces and monuments.
The Swordsman of the Nation Statue
Meanwhile amid the debate around public art in Cape Town – and the fall of the Cecil John Rhodes statue at the University of Cape Town – a mysterious bronze statue resembling President Jacob Zuma was erected on Lion’s Head over the Easter weekend.
The statue, titled The Swordsman of the Nation, was placed on top of the popular tourist destination. News24 reports an inscription scribbled on its base read: “If a criminal like this can get a statue, so can I – JZ.” It is unclear whether the ‘criminal’ referred to is Cecil John Rhodes or President Jacob Zuma? (We think both – Ed).
The statue, which depicts a short, fat, naked character, was erected with a large sex toy in its hand, evoking the controversy around artist Brett Murray’s painting, The Spear.
By the end of the Easter weekend the statue had been cut in half.
Cecil John Rhodes Statue
With regards to the removal of the Rhodes stature at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the DA said Universities, as the intellectual hearts of South Africa, should be leading the national debate through the creation of visibly inclusive campuses.
“And the debate can and must go further toward addressing the scandalous lack of support, both educational and financial, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. To place the blame for a lack of progress on statues, many over a century old, makes a mockery of the cause of true transformation in our society.”
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Paul Kruger Statue
The defacing of Paul Kruger’s statue in Church Square, Pretoria, calls for authorities to the strongest possible action against the perpetrators, lobby group AfriForum says.
“The situation is deteriorating by the day, people are becoming more swept up by the emotion of events, and communities are becoming dangerously polarised as a result,” deputy chief executive Alana Bailey said in a statement.
Bailey believed the current debate on statues and monuments could lead to attention seekers with political agendas wanting a place in the spotlight.
“The message has to be sent to the anarchists that their behaviour is unacceptable and will be punished in accordance with existing legislation, before irreversible damage is done to the South African cultural heritage, or the polarisation amongst communities leads to violence,” she said.
Where does this end and what purpose does this serve? What do you think they will achieve?
