Garden of landmark miniatures would boost Bay tourism

DALI Tambo has established the statue garden of struggle stalwarts.

This, of course, amid many other statues in life-size and larger-than-life of more celebrated struggle icons than others. This is now hackneyed. Could we please, if we really are compelled to capture and preserve our history and heritage, shelve it until our economy picks up? Our economy is in a dire state, with capital flight, the hoarding of billions, no investing and, of course, the wanton brazen looting by the struggle stalwarts entrusted with public funds. Tourism is foremost in mind also. Surely even the most impressionable of tourists welcome or respond to something that embodies elements of surprise, of novelty.

A gigantic statue of Nelson Mandela, like that of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil or that of Lady Liberty in New York, would not only be too much, it will really be saying Mandela is a god, if not God.

That is not right – no mortal is that or should be that high and lifted up, dead or alive.

A park with miniature iconic structures from all over the world to indicate the unity, reconciliation and the global statesmanship the man stood for and represented could be a sure winner in tourist-starved Port Elizabeth.

All the historical and architectural structures from around the world, starting with the pyramids, London Bridge, Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sydney Opera House, Lady Liberty and even the one they thinking of emulating, Christ the Redeemer, also Mount Rushmore with the American presidents’ faces could be created – Mandela is right up there with them.

I am sure consent from these places won’t be a difficult thing to get.

For one thing, people would want to visit the real places, to experience the real thing, and us meanwhile educating our young and people about the world.

I would suggest that this be done where the international airport is and a new one be built past Coega to be easily accessed through the N2.

Pat Kondile, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth