The city of Cape Town plans to honour former president Nelson Mandela with a R3.5m – $261,210 statue and exhibition at the City Hall
Naming and nomination committee chair, councillor Brett Herron, said on Monday that the City would start with a public participation process about the proposal to commemorate the life and work of Mandela, News24 reports.
Herron said that public participation is intended to engage the residents about the memorisation of Madiba at City Hall.
The intended statue will be installed on the balcony of the City Hall where Nelson delivered his first public address after he was released from the then Victor Verster Prison.
Herron also said that the Hall will also consist of interpretive panels, audio-visual equipment and interactive displays to commemorate Mandela’s legacy.
“The Western Cape government has budgeted approximately R3.5m for the funding of the memorial and the City approximately R1.3m for the operational costs, inclusive of the ongoing maintenance of the exhibition and statue.” The report further says.
Alan Winde, Western Cape economic chair said that though leveraging the unique heritage, it is possible to build an attraction that will draw visitors to Cape Town and spread the message of Madiba on tolerance.
