Cultural commission researches effect of statue desecrations
ALEXANDRA - The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) is researching the impact of the recent defacing and vandalising of national statues on the nation’s psyche.
The desecrations, which started at universities and spread to city centres, have left some tense with muted concerns, condemnations as well as excitement – with the likely effect of polarizing the nation.
Some of the statues, mainly of leaders from the apartheid era, have been removed for storage elsewhere. Others are being guarded while consultations are ongoing as to what to do with them.
CRL chairperson Thoko Xaluva said they were researching the impact of the incidents and will make recommendations to government on what should be done to bring ease to the nation.
“The country needs a dedicated project and programme to bring peace, nation building, social cohesion and certainty,” Xaluva said.
She said research would be conducted with and in communities to gather their views on the symbolic, heroic and current value and significance of the statues to bringing unity to the country.
“People will only respect, protect and honour symbols which evidentially relate with their aspirations, hence the consultations.”
Xaluva added that the report would focus on the effects of recent xenophobic attacks on both citizens and foreigners, mainly African nationals, who should, she said, be co-existing as neighbours rather than living next to each other with suspicion. She said the present was a testing time for the country.
Details: Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities 011 358 9113.
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