Rustenburg - Destroying statues cannot change South African history, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West said on Wednesday.
“Destroying statues cannot changed our history. The issue of statues is a sensitive and divisive, it needs to be handled delicately,” said provincial party leader Chris Hattingh.
He said a debate on the future of the country’s statues was needed.
“We cannot shy away from our past. We come from a colonial past and apartheid past. We must acknowledge that some statues are offensive given our different cultures.”
He said the statue of Cecil John Rhodes was offensive to some sections of South African 40 years ago but, it was not destroyed.
“We believe in meaningful inclusive discussion about statues, those who are offensive must not be destroyed. It [destroying statues] has never happened in any civilised world.”
The statue of Paul Kruger in Rustenburg was last week covered with a black plastic and spray-painted black while parts of the one of the former president of the South African Republic which stands on Church Square in Pretoria was covered in green paint.
“Paul must go, must run!!” were painted on the Rustenburg statue. The statue has since been cleaned but no one has as yet claimed responsibility.
The Bojanala District Platinum District Municipality said it would comment later on the statue.
People in Rustenburg have reacted with mixed feeling towards the statue.
“The statue must remain where it is. It will help our children to understand our past. How will they know about our colonial and apartheid past,” said Ivy Makwete.
“Why do we destroy them now, does this mean the next government should destroy all statues it does not like?” she asked.
Naledi Masiga said the statue must not be destroyed or removed.
“Oom Paul [uncle Paul] must remain, who is going to teach our children about our past without referring to monuments?”
She said the statue was disturbing the lives of people.
“Look it is up there, if you want to take a look at it, you are free to do so. If you do not like just moved on do not look at it,” she said.
Phillimon Tauyabo said the statues should have been removed in 1994.
“We should have started with statues before we renamed streets, Paul Kruger and other statues remind us of our past. It is a pity we allowed them to stand tall and watch us for 21 years,” he said.
“These statues tower above, proud that they have conquered us. We need statues of our liberators such as Chris Hani, Moses Kotane and others.”
ANA