President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to unveil the monumental bronze statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in Durban, celebrating their enduring legacy and contributions to South Africa's liberation.
Image: file
The highly anticipated unveiling of the 9-metre-tall bronze statues of former president Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo is set to take place in Durban on Tuesday.
These statues, which cost R22 million, have sparked considerable debate due to concerns over their expense and the lengthy wait for their unveiling.
Originally scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026, the unveiling has been moved up to accommodate President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is expected to attend the funeral of Reverend Jesse Jackson, the renowned American civil rights activist, in Chicago on the same weekend.
Both Mandela and Tambo served as presidents of the African National Congress (ANC). President Ramaphosa will preside over the ceremony, where the statues have been strategically placed in prominent and accessible locations throughout Durban.
The statue of Mandela is situated at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, overlooking Kings Park Athletic Stadium, while Tambo's statue overlooks North Beach.
The eThekwini Municipality has stated that these statues celebrate the significant contributions of both leaders to the country's liberation and democracy. They are also intended to enhance the city’s cultural and heritage tourism offerings.
This unveiling is part of the municipality’s broader initiative to promote Durban as a heritage tourism destination. In addition to the statue unveiling, Ramaphosa is expected to meet with the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
Established in April 2024, the PeWG is a collaborative effort involving the Presidency, the eThekwini Municipality, and the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Its purpose is to address service delivery challenges, improve infrastructure, stabilise governance, and foster economic growth within the municipality.
The meeting will convene key stakeholders, including business and organised labour leaders, ministers, Premier Thami Ntuli, Members of the Executive Council (MECs), senior government officials, and the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Cyril Xaba.
The engagement aims to review the progress made since the Working Group's inception and outline the next phase of targeted interventions focused on strengthening economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and improved service delivery in eThekwini.
Councillor Xaba expressed confidence that the expanded tourism offerings would continue to attract visitors to Durban, thereby bolstering the local economy. He emphasised the statues' historical importance, noting that they serve as a reminder of Mandela’s landmark address at King’s Park Stadium on February 25, 1990, shortly after his release from prison.
During this historic occasion, Mandela called for peace, unity, and reconciliation, urging the nation to set aside weapons and strive for harmony before a crowd of over 100,000 South Africans.
In November 2025, Ramaphosa met with the PeWG to inspect various projects. Zanele Khomo, chief growth officer at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC, indicated that a statement would be released following the meeting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa acknowledged Jackson’s relentless campaigns against apartheid and his unwavering support for the liberation struggle, describing them as a monumental contribution to the global anti-apartheid cause.
“In 2013, Jackson was awarded South Africa’s National Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Silver for dedicating his life to challenging societies and governments to recognise that all people are born equal,” he stated.