Input sought on Madiba statue

A PUBLIC participation process on proposals to commemorate the life and work of Nelson Mandela – with an approximately R3.5 million statue and an approximately R1.3m permanent exhibition at the City Hall – will start today.

An initiative of the National Heritage Council and the national Department of Tourism, the statue and exhibition project forms part of the National Liberation Heritage Route.

“The purpose of the public participation process is to engage with our residents about the intended memorialisation of Madiba at City Hall,” said the City’s naming and nomination committee chairperson, Councillor Brett Herron.

“We want to work more closely with our residents. I thus urge residents to please let us know their thoughts about this project,” he added.

Herron said the provincial government’s departments of tourism, cultural affairs and sport would fund and donate the statue to the City, while the City would fund the exhibition.

The exhibition would consist of interpretive panels, audio-visual equipment and interactive displays, and would commemorate Madiba’s legacy and honour the organisations and people who were involved in the liberation Struggle and events leading up to his release and the transition to democracy, he said.

He added that it was proposed that the statue be installed on the City Hall’s balcony, where Madiba delivered his first public address after his release from prison on February 11,1990.

Opposite that balcony, about 50 000 South Africans gathered on the Grand Parade to celebrate Madiba’s release from prison after 27 years.

Provincial MEC for Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said Mandela remained one of the world’s most beloved icons.

“His journey after his release from the then-Victor Verster Prison to the City Hall, where he made his address, is of important historical significance.

“Through leveraging this unique heritage, we can build an attraction which will draw visitors to our region and spread Madiba’s message of tolerance.”

Winde encouraged everyone to share their views during the public participation process.

Input may be submitted from today until May 21. via e-mail to transport.info@capetown.gov.za, online on the City’s website: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or post: The Manager: Public Participation Unit, Box 298, Cape Town, 8000.