Monuments play key in culture, politics - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says monuments play a vital role in the lived experiences of people across different walks of life.
Ramaphosa made the remarks during his keynote address at the national commemoration of the United Nations-endorsed Nelson Mandela International Day in Qunu, Eastern Cape, on Tuesday.
The president presided over the unveiling of two statues in Mthatha and Qunu commemorating the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.
He said there are many factors that contribute to shaping lived experiences, including upbringing and culture.
The statues represent the role of Mandela as a statesman and a Xhosa man.
"Our upbringing, our culture, and many other factors shape our lived experiences.
“The statue we unveiled earlier today in Mthatha depicts Madiba in the role for which he was most well-known, that of a statesman,” said Ramaphosa.
"The statue here in Qunu depicts him in the attire of his Xhosa-Tembu culture, reminding us of the traditional values he lived by and that shaped his consciousness.
“It is our hope that this homage to Madiba in his final resting place will serve as an inspiration, especially to the young people in the community."
He added that the statues are a reminder that being born in a rural area, or coming from humble beginnings, is not an obstacle to achieving greatness.
"It is to remind you that the seeds of greatness lie dormant within each one of us and that it is up to us to make them germinate and bloom.
“It is to remind us of all our duty to do what we can to make the world a better place. Monuments, statues, and museums have a key role to play in the political and cultural life of any country.
"They are a means of giving recognition to those who suffered hardship, repression, exile, or death in pursuit of universal ideals such as human freedom. Monuments such as this one are the struggle of memory against forgetting."
The president labelled the statues as beacons of hope to communities that are still suffering poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.
"This statue should serve as a reminder to those of us elected to serve the South African people that we must redouble our efforts to build a better South Africa that leaves no one behind. To quote Madiba’s own words, as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality still exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.
"Madiba built bridges of peace and mobilised people of the world to fight against social injustice and oppression. Let us strive to emulate his example today and every day.”
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