When doves cry: Vandals steal Multicultural Man’s flock
Thieves destroy East London’s global icon
The Multicultural Man with arms outstretched stands alone on the Esplanade after his flock of bronze doves were stolen by vandals during load-shedding in East London early on Tuesday.
Donated by Italy’s Nereto municipality, the statue was unveiled in 2006 at the Heroes’ Park Garden of Remembrance, and has been targeted by scrap metal collectors before.
Marina Marchetti, 83, from Beacon Bay, the former Italian vice-consul responsible for the donation and installation of the monument, said it might never be restored to its former splendour.
“I’m very sad. It took more than a year to organise everything. It would cost a fortune to restore in bronze. They took everything.”
The bronze statue was created and constructed by Italian artist Francesco Perilli and depicted a faceless man trying to connect Earth’s two meridians encircled by doves on similar meridian lines.
The symbol of peace is part of a series of works dotted across the globe including in Toronto, Canada; Sarajevo, Bosniaherzegovina; Changchun, China; San Pedro in Los Angeles; and East London.
A Quigney resident who asked to remain anonymous said the statue was often a target for vandals who struck during load-shedding.
“We had load-shedding from 3am to 6am. It was pitch dark so we couldn’t see anything but we heard the poles with the doves fall.
“We didn’t hear the angle grinder like the last time. When it was light enough we saw the gate was open and the poles cut off. Some bits were still sticking up but they had definitely been stolen.”
The Dispatch reported after a similar theft in 2010 that it would cost the Buffalo City Metro about R200,000 to restore the statue.
Marchetti said she wrote to BCM after the first attack in the hopes of putting up a new fence around the statue.
“It looks like the new fence was done in the last few days, according to people in the area
— it’s fantastic there was a new fence but now there is virtually no monument left.
“This was something special for the Esplanade and it had a special meaning for the people, and I can’t see the possibility of repairing it — it’s gone.
“I hope they are considering moving what is left. The statue of the man is still beautiful and can be moved to the museum.”
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the vandalism of assets and facilities was an ongoing problem in the city.
“It is a predicament that we find ourselves in, where vagrants, bush dwellers and homeless people are constantly targeting municipal assets.
“We have an ongoing programme for restoration work on municipal heritage sites.
“However, our challenge is the limited budget.
“Recently the site of the Multicultural Man was restored through fencing with Clear View Fence.
“A collective effort in terms of safeguarding our rich history and heritage is urgently needed. We all have a role to play.
“We are also fencing our key heritage sites and strategic areas like the City Hall, and War Memorial and we will consider this for this site as well.
“A statue of this calibre is very important.
“The Multicultural Man statues seek to promote peace and unity among the people of the world.
“The Multicultural Man needs to be protected as it is the only one in Africa and it has got an international value.”