Size could count against Madiba statue project

By Max Matavire

THE Nelson Mandela Foundation has expressed concerns about the proposed size of the Nelson Mandela Statue of Freedom to be built in the Port Elizabeth harbour.

Freedom Enterprises, the initiators of the R300-million project confirmed yesterday that the concern was raised during a foundation meeting in Johannesburg last week.

“They are concerned about the size. The foundation wants to distance itself from something similar to the statues of Lenin or Saddam,” said Freedom Enterprises chief executive Mandla Madwara.

The initial size was 65 metres high. Mr Madwara said the concerns about the statue’s size would not affect the project.

“Yes, we will revisit the size of the statue but we will still end up with a huge monument,” he said.

“It’s not a worry to us as we are flexible about the size. The project design will go for an international competition and so the issue of the size to us is neither here nor there,” said Mr Madwara.

He said they might end up with a plinth of about 100 metres and the actual statue of five metres, adding that this did not compromise the concept of the statue.

“Mandela will still be the rallying point.

“We are immortalising Mandela. In any event, we will end up with a huge monument – about 110 metres,” Mr Madwara said.

Building regulations allow building to a height of 113 metres.

The statue will be officially launched on July 18 next year to coincide with Mr Mandela’s 86th birthday. The launch will also form part of South Africa’s 10th democracy anniversary celebrations.

“This could be one of the high- profile events on the programme of the celebrations since by then we would have finalised all the details about the statue.

“We will also take advantage of the occasion to announce the full package – like what will be involved in the entire project, including the proposed long road to freedom and other developments,” Mr Madwara said.

He said the statue could also be placed inside or alongside the huge monument and gave as an example that of the world-famous statue of American President Abraham Lincoln in Washington.

The statue will come with other developments such as a 600-room hotel, a R260-million cruiseliner terminal, a R250-million conference centre, a R500-million road, the Long Walk to Freedom, which will link the entire complex with the central business district.

There will also be a commercial, retail and residential component to the development, Mr Madwara said.

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