#RhodesMustFall initiated identity debate - Mthethwa
Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa on Friday briefed the media on the Transformation of The Heritage Landscape report-back at Freedom Park in Pretoria.
The task team was established in 2015 after students at the University of Cape Town demonstrated for the removal of Cecil Rhodes' statue at the institution.
Mthethwa believes to build a progressive country, eradicating colonialism and apartheid iconography is important.
"The building of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society, amongst others, hinges on our ability of eradicating all vestiges of colonialism and apartheid racism," says Mthethwa.
Listen below:
"#RhodesMustFall" ignited a national outcry for colonial and apartheid statues to be removed from public spaces.
"The Rhodes must fall movement should be commended for initiating an important conversation of the identity of a nation under the new dispensation. It made us to think and rethink on what should and should not occupy our public spaces," says Mthethwa.
Monuments are not innocent pieces of architectural work. They embody a strong symbolical power.
The meeting resulted in 21 resolutions - which were studied by a task team and then discussed with targeted stakeholders.
Read the full speech below:
Final Speaking Notes 23 Feb_ Heritage Landscape by Jacaranda FM News on Scribd