The Citizen Mar 03
Ramaphosa explains why eThekwini must have statues of Tambo and Mandela amid criticism from MK party
citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/politics/ramaphosa-explains-why-ethekwini-must-have-statues-of-tambo-and-mandela-amid-criticism-from-mk-party/
Photo: citizen.co.za · view article
Controversy Over Mandela and Tambo Statues in eThekwiniThe R22 million statues sparked debate amid eThekwini’s ongoing service delivery failures and political shifts.
Key FactsMar 3, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
- Two 10-meter bronze statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo were unveiled in eThekwini, costing R22 million.
- The uMkhonto weSizwe party condemns the unveiling, citing severe local infrastructure and service delivery problems.
- President Ramaphosa highlighted that the statues symbolize the struggle for freedom and uphold Mandela and Tambo’s legacy.
- The ANC has lost significant ground in KwaZulu-Natal, facing challenges to rebuild after electoral defeats.
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. We are writing the history of how our people struggled to be free.— Ramaphosa's remarks at the unveiling ceremony for Mandela and Tambo statues in eThekwini
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metropolitan municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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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
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.
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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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Summary created with AI assistance · Source: timeslive.co.za
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- President Ramaphosa highlights eThekwini’s cautious recovery, pointing to growth in tourism, business confidence, and ongoing infrastructure projects.
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Together, we can protect eThekwini’s industrial base, modernise its infrastructure, secure its water future and restore its urban core. And together we can ensure that eThekwini once again stands as a gateway to the continent, and as a beacon of resilience, partnership and shared prosperity.— Ramaphosa said at an event commemorating 22 months since the establishment of the Presidential Working Group on eThekwini, which was set up after business leaders raised alarm about water interruptions, electricity cuts, crime and derelict buildings in Durban’s city centre.
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