Wrapped in controversy — eThekwini mayor defends R22m statues amid service delivery crisis

iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-04-12-cogta-says-it-has-no-authority-to-probe-ethekwinis-r22-million-mandela-and-tambo-statues/

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Cogta says it has no authority to probe eThekwini’s R22 million Mandela and Tambo statues

ewn.co.za/2026/03/04/ramaphosa-on-mandela-tambo-statues-their-struggle-contribution-is-incalculable

EWN Mar 04

Ramaphosa on Mandela, Tambo statues: 'Their struggle contribution is incalculable'

Key FactsControversy Over Mandela and Tambo Statues in Durban

Mar 4, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ewn.co.za

President Ramaphosa stressed the immeasurable value of Mandela and Tambo’s contributions to the liberation struggle.

The statues at Moses Mabhida Stadium and Durban north beachfront commemorate the nation’s resistance history.

The Democratic Alliance criticized the R22 million expenditure, urging funds be redirected to pressing service delivery challenges.

City officials reported that 60% of water is lost due to neglected, outdated pipelines.

The cost of what they contributed to our struggle is incalculable. We cannot even begin to count what it cost for us to be where we are. In stone and bronze, we continue to write our history. Not the history of those who held power unjustly but the history of those who refused to let injustice have the final word.
— Cyril Ramaphosa on the Mandela and Tambo statues, Durban, March 4, 2026.

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