From the look of things, Nathi Mthethwa’s monument flag initiative will not fly, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged him to shelve the idea.
During his presentation at the Black Business Council summit in Midrand, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the controversial flag monument proposed by his minister of arts and culture (Nathi Mthethwa).
He recalled the minister calling him and asking when he would be available to chat over the phone. The president had noted he was in a meeting. But after that, they can talk.
In conversation much later, he had brought the “wonderful” flag project and told the president that it appeared the people were unhappy with it. Ramaphosa noted that, of course, the people were disappointed. So he advised the minister to cancel the whole flag thing.
His words elicited laughter and applause from the crowd.
Meanwhile in the world of cabinet decisionmakers, we have some unique insights about #FlagGate.@kgmadisa@tshidi_lee@AndiMakinanapic.twitter.com/eKX7CfhQPP
— Khaya Sithole (@CoruscaKhaya) May 19, 2022
Nathi Mthethwa’s ministry had proposed erecting a 100-metre flag for R22 million. South Africans loudly condemned the proposal. Who described it as misplaced, especially as the ministry did nothing to help artists during the initial lockdown in South Africa.
Well, with the president siding with the people about not going on with the project, the monument project is as good as dead.
