A number of proposals to erect statues at various sites across eThekwini was approved by Full Council today, 24 February 2016. The erection of these statues will honour South Africa’s and the province’s rich history.
The following were approved as possible sites for statues to be erected by the KZN Office of the Premier:
- A statue of Dorothy Nyembe at a proposed site in Umkhumbane in the Cato Manor Monuments Garden which is on the corner of Mary Thipe and Francois Roads. Nyembe is originally from uMkhumbane so it would be fitting for her statue to be located there,
- A statue of Dr Monty Naicker along Monty Naicker Road or the new Mahatma Gandhi Museum Precinct. The family has been engaged on the matter and have put in further proposals,
- Statues of Victoria and Griffiths Mxenge at Mxenge House in Umlazi. While the statue of Victoria Mxenge has also been installed, it needs to be unveiled. Both statues, once completed, will serve as attractions and exhibits for future purposes as the Mxenge House is currently being converted into a museum by the Municipality,
- A statue of Dr Pixley kaIsaka Seme in Inanda, in Pixley kaIsaka Seme House. The statue has been erected but needs to be unveiled and,
- A statue of Moses Mabhida at the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s north entrance off Isaiah Ntshangase Road. There has been ongoing engagements with various stakeholders on this issue including Mabhida’s family.
Council also approved a request from the Department of Arts and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal to erect two special commemorative heritage plaques in Umlazi for Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge. This is part of the Provincial Heritage Project.
The plaque for Victoria Mxenge will be erected at Mxenge House in Umlazi V section while an appropriate location for the plaque honouring Griffiths Mxenge will be found at the Umlazi Cyclist Stadium eMhlabeni.
A request was also approved for the National Department of Arts and Culture to erect a statue of Archie Gumede in Durban.
An appropriate location next to the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, where the Liberation Wall is situated, will be found. The statue will honour Gumede’s role in the struggle against apartheid.
The approval of both the statue and the plaque are in line with the Durban Liberation Heritage Route.
City Manager Sibusiso Sithole will sign a memorandum of understanding with the KwaZulu-Natal and National Department of Arts and Culture in order to address custodianship of the plaques and statues respectively.
