Historical statues to be erected in Durban
The erection of statues in eThekwini will honour South Africa’s and the province’s rich history.
COUNCIL has agreed to erect a number of states across eThekwini honouring the country and province’s history. .
According the Head of Communications Tozi Mthethwa, among the sites approved for possible statues are a statue of Dorothy Nyembe at a proposed site in Umkhumbane in the Cato Manor Monuments Garden on the corner of Mary Thipe and Rick Turner Roads. Nyembe is originally from uMkhumbane.
A statue of Dr Monty Naicker is planned for erection 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 are included 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,” said Mthethwa.
Other statues include that 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,” said Mthethwa.
