EDITORIAL | A R22m flag won’t improve patriotism, it will be a monument to madness

The department of sport, arts and culture has made the news for all the wrong reasons again. In its annual performance plan for 2022/2023, it shared a ludicrous plan, apparently aimed at solving South Africans’ supposed lack of appreciation for their national symbols. It had budgeted no less than R22m to install a “monumental” flag, 100m in height, to serve as a national landmark and tourist destination. 

The document, drafted by arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa’s department, argues there “seems to be a lack of appreciation or knowledge of national symbols in some quarters of the country”. So, as part of promoting national symbols, “and in keeping with our vision to inculcate love, passion and appreciation of this potent national symbol, the department has embarked on a process to conceptualise, design and ultimately install a national monumental flag”. A feasibility study had already been undertaken in 2020/2021, to inform the brief for the flag.

The project as an insult to millions of struggling athletes and artists who have been receiving very little or no support from the department after their lives and livelihoods were destroyed by the Covid-19 lockdown.

—  DA shadow minister of arts Tsepo Mhlongo

The costs are staggering: “R5m is budgeted in 2022/23 for the site-specific geotechnical studies including the environmental impact assessment and other tests and applications that will be required prior to construction. In 2023/24 R17m is allocated for the installation of the monumental flag.”

The 264-page document repeatedly refers to the need to create a “shared sense of patriotism”. It talks of social cohesion and nation building and suggests that national unity be promoted by using the flag at national day celebrations and cultural and sporting events in schools. 

Critics jumped on the R22m number, suggesting dozens of other ways in which the money could be spent. The DA listed at least five alternatives, including sponsoring local sporting events or theatre productions with the focus on those hardest hit by Covid-19 regulations. Not to mention the restoration of museums on the verge of closure and an injection in funds to pay performing artists. The DA’s shadow minister of arts, Tsepo Mhlongo, described the project as an insult to “millions of struggling athletes and artists who have been receiving very little or no support from the department after their lives and livelihoods were destroyed by the Covid-19 lockdown”. 

The department’s “don’t care” approach towards artists struggling during the time of Covid-19 is well documented. Real social cohesion and national unity will not be created by pumping millions into a giant flag. Patriotism cannot be bought; it is earned. The department needs to do a complete rethink on how it wants to spend that money to prevent the monumental flag from becoming a monumental flop.