On Tuesday, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and other officials from the department explained to the parliament that a R17 million monumental flag will be an important part of memorializing our democracy and it will be a constant marker of our break with the colonial and apartheid past.
The 17 million is for the flag installation and 5 million is for the geotechnical studies, which sum up to R22 million.
The department has since been receiving backlash for its plan to spend millions to erect a 100-metre high flag in Freedom Park in Pretoria.
[ON AIR] Power To Truth host @JJTabane continues his conversation with the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, on the R22-million flag monument #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/rx8RSLSbtz
— eNCA (@eNCA) May 17, 2022
Public figures, including Bonang Matheba, raised concerns on Twitter about how the minister has failed to do his job in the department.
See tweets below:
You’re useless and we all hate you @NathiMthethwaSA ❤️
— Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) May 17, 2022
You have no clue what you’re doing. Go away! @NathiMthethwaSA
— Bonang Matheba 👑 (@Bonang) May 17, 2022
You don’t need to see a feasibility study to know that 22 million for this project, in these debilitating economic times, is wasteful. The countries you mention have NUMEROUS museums that are free for visitors. And activities for children all free. Do we have that? https://t.co/tgA8skHqKR
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) May 18, 2022
Obviously @NathiMthethwaSA is not liked by a whole industry that hates itself so nothing new there for me. But l have a question. How did they build your favorites The Eiffel Tower in Parys, Statue Of Liberty in NewYork, Christ The Redemeer in Rio De Janeiro? Why do u like them?
— PennyLebyane💚PennyLebyaneDotAfrica (@PennyLebyane) May 18, 2022
U came in defense of a department that has severely let down an entire sporting and arts fraternity and I’ve seen it first-hand!! I offered u facts to ur redundant and irrelevant question…No “back & forth” needed my dear sister.
🇿🇦🤝🏽🇿🇦
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) May 18, 2022
Nathi Mthethwa is one of the useless ministers alongside Mbalula. 22 Million Rands to construct a Flag that is visible during the day and night in a developing country that is sinking economically, will never make sense to me.
— ツ Ø ͏ Ʀ ͏ ł ™ ͏ ͏ ❼ (@Ori_RSA) May 18, 2022
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