Durban’s R22m statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo have become a political flashpoint. The eThekwini Municipality says the nine metre bronze figures, which cost R22 million, form part of a plan to transform the city’s heritage landscape and boost tourism.
Instead of drawing tourists, the statues still stand wrapped in plastic at two key sites. The Mandela statue sits in the parking area at Moses Mabhida Stadium facing Kings Park Athletics Stadium. The Tambo figure rises along North Beach on O.R. Tambo Parade.
From Vision to Beachfront Controversy
Council approved the project in 2019. In 2022, it signed off another R1 million for installation costs. This move angered opposition parties worried about spending priorities.
The original plan placed both statues outside Durban City Hall. However, the municipality later shifted them to the beachfront and stadium precinct. This change surprised some councillors and raised fresh questions about how officials take decisions inside City Hall.
DA Takes Fight to the Public Protector
DA eThekwini mayoral candidate Haniff Hoosen says the party will ask the Public Protector to investigate the decision to pour R22 million into the statues. This is in light of Durban battling what he calls an uncontrollable water and sanitation crisis.
The DA says the municipality redirected money from buying fire engines and fixing water infrastructure at the Tongaat water works. This was done to fund the project. Hoosen argues that the Durban R22m statues show how vanity projects beat basic service delivery.
Municipality Defends Heritage Push
City officials reject the criticism. Internal reports argue that Durban’s existing statues and symbols still skew the heritage landscape towards colonists and apartheid leaders. They add that the city has too few monuments to struggle icons such as Mandela and Tambo. Former deputy mayor Philani Mavundla says even the city’s logo and current statues fail to mirror Durban’s full racial and cultural diversity.
Municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana says the project remains on track. The City will announce unveiling dates soon. Until then, residents will keep walking past two giant figures still hidden under plastic. This happens in a city that battles both dry taps and sewage leaks.
