R3.5m for statue of Mandela

The statue of Nelson Mandela on the Cape Town City Hall balcony, where he gave his first speech on the day he was released in 1990, will cost R3.5-million.

It will be funded by the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town plans to spend R1.3-million a year on a permanent exhibition at the City Hall to commemorate Mandela's legacy, as well as the organisations and people who were involved in the liberation struggle and events leading up to hi s release .

Brett Herron, chairman of the city council naming and nomination committee, said yesterday the two projects would form part of the National Liberation Heritage Route, an initiative of the National Heritage Council and the Department of Tourism.

"It is proposed that a statue be installed on the balcony at the City Hall where Madiba delivered his first public address following his release from the then Victor Verster Prison on February 11 1990," Herron said.

"It is opposite this balcony where approximately 50,000 South Africans gathered on the Grand Parade on this historic day to celebrate Madiba's release from prison after 27 years.

"The City Hall falls within the National Liberation Heritage Route, but little has been done to date to highlight the prominence of this landmark and the significant events that took place in 1990.

"The purpose of the proposed permanent exhibition is to turn City Hall into a tourist attraction, where visitors can visualise the events and have a full experience of our journey to democracy. Numerous people and organisations had a hand in one of our nation's most historic moments and we want to honour them as well."

A public participation exercise on the two plans will be conducted until May 21.