What A Joke: South Africans Express Outrage After President Cyril Ramaphosa Unveils Two New Nelson Mandela Statues
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to unveil two statues of Nelson Mandela on the late leader’s 105th birthday has sparked widespread criticism on social media.
While the move was intended to honor the legacy of the iconic freedom fighter, it has been met with criticism from citizens grappling with pressing issues such as water and electricity shortages.
The statues, erected at the Nelson Mandela Museum’s Bhunga Building in Mthatha and the Qunu Youth and Heritage Centre, were intended to symbolize different aspects of Mandela’s life. One depicted him as a global icon and statesman, while the other aimed to represent his traditional roots and the values that shaped him.
Public Outcry: South Africans Unimpressed with President Ramaphosa’s Misplaced Priorities
However, the prevailing sentiment among many South Africans is one of frustration and discontent. With the country facing significant challenges, including a crippling water and electricity crisis, citizens have questioned the allocation of funds towards the statues.
Outraged South Africans took to social media to express their displeasure, lambasting the president for what they perceived as misplaced priorities. The sentiment appears to center around the belief that the funds utilized for the statues could have been more effectively directed toward addressing critical issues like infrastructure development, housing, and job creation.
While many recognize the significance of honoring Nelson Mandela, who remains an enduring symbol of hope and unity in South Africa’s history, some question the necessity of erecting additional statues when countless others already exist.
Check out some of the reactions from Twitter;
@dracosrevenge;
waste of tax payers money
@NathiSibiya;
What a joke I wonder how much was it , r25mil to comrades
@Born_of_Afrika;
Wow..I hope EC people will be able to eat that Mandela statue.
@Philani_Msani;
What a waste of resources What are this statues for? How are they going to change what’s this country is facing? Or It was another way of looting the public funds and giving tenders to friends of ANC?
@Sipho_Nkosi
This is just a waste of money 😔