President says Mandela, Tambo statues' symbolic value outweighs R22m cost

STRUGGLE ICONS

- THAMI MAGUBANE

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by city and national government officials, at the unveiling of the Oliver Tambo statue in Durban yesterday. GCIS

(GCIS)

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed the outcry over the money spent to erect statues of two struggle icons in Durban, pointing out that the historic symbols' value far exceeds the economic cost.

The president unveiled two statues, one of Oliver Tambo and the other of Nelson Mandela, which were erected in Durban.

The statues have been a subject of controversy after it emerged that R22 million had been spent on them. The statue of Tambo is located close to North Beach, while that of Mandela is erected near the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The unveiling of the statues was attended by several dignitaries, including a representative from the Tambo family and ANC stalwarts such as Jeff Radebe and Mac Maharaj.

The president said, "We know that the issue of statues attracts controversy like everything in our country, but those complaining should stop, and we should think about this," adding that these statues represent an iconic part of the country's struggle for liberation.