AfriForum launches campaign for retention of statues
30 March 2015
AfriForum has launched a campaign against the ill-considered relocation and removal of statues in public spaces. This step follows in reaction to the current spate of protest actions against the statues of several historical figures from all communities all over South Africa by people with diverse ideological agendas.
According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum responsible for heritage issues, AfriForum is in favour of the protection of the total South African cultural historical heritage, as well as the promotion of a balanced view of the past.
"Currently protest in favour of the removal of statues constitutes an easy way to get media attention for an ideological standpoint, results in the incitement of emotions and serves only to polarise South African communities even further. No-one benefits from these actions and the removal of the statues does not offer actual relief for the issues at hand," Bailey said.
For this reason AfriForum and all who support this organisation's petition call for a moratorium on the removal and relocation of all statues and monuments in public spaces. AfriForum proposes a national heritage summit where the future of monuments and statues, but also the names of towns, streets and schools can be discussed.
"At present political and media pressure results in impetuous decisions being made about the future of statues and other memorabilia," Bailey explained. "It is necessary for all stakeholders to reflect calmly and in a balanced manner regarding the future of our past, before efforts to get rid of aspects thereof that may offend, causes irreparable damage to the South African cultural heritage."
"The legacy of all communities has to be respected and preserved - not in isolated parks, but as an integral part of the public landscape. Thus statues and monuments will remain a part of a discourse re our respective and mutual past in South Africa. Public figures may then be judged in context, in addition to an evaluation of their contribution to the present. We also have to remember that these statues are not the property of our generation. We are the mere custodians thereof, acting on behalf of our descendants. If we reduce the past to a single, distorted vision because of ideological pressure, it will be a disservice to the generations after us," Bailey added.
Anyone wishing to support the campaign is invited to sign the petition on AfriForum's website or Facebook page, or to SMS their name to 42315. Each SMS costs R1.00.
Statement issued by Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, March 30 2015
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