The legacy of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu will reach all parts of the country when 50 bronze sculptures are erected at various sites.
The eThekwini Municipality will also announce plans for the erection of the multimillion-rand statues of former president Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo that are to be installed in the Durban City Hall precinct.
The Sivananda World Peace Foundation founder Ishwar Ramlutchman will pay tribute to the king by erecting the sculptures at universities, community centres, and religious institutions. They are currently stored at the foundation's office in Richards Bay. The king passed away on March 12, 2021.
Dr John Laband, Zulu history expert and author of The Eight Zulu Kings and the Assassination of King Shaka, said that in many parts of the country, the king might not resonate well with the locals.
“I think that, for instance here in the Western Cape, most people would be hard placed to even sort of identify him or know anything about him. I do not, in that sense, think that outside the world of KwaZulu-Natal, there is much of a profile about him.
“I am always a bit apprehensive about the erection of monuments and busts of people because fascinations come and go. These things might be erected today and removed tomorrow as politics and heroes change. This kind of exercise is problematic,” Laband said.
Ramlutchman said the erection of the sculptures will serve an educative purpose.
Ramlutchman, who had a close relationship with the king, said the king had left behind a legacy of courage, wisdom, and devotion to his people.
"These sculptures aim to serve as a beacon of hope for all South Africans. We will be installing these busts at educational facilities, health facilities, museums, and public open spaces."
Ramlutchman said the king must be remembered as a much-loved, visionary monarch who made an important contribution to cultural identity, national unity, and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal and, through this, to the development of our country as a whole.
“Throughout his reign, King Zwelithini demonstrated remarkable leadership, guiding his people with wisdom, compassion, and strength. He was a champion of his people's rights, a defender of their culture, and a promoter of their welfare,” he said.
Ramlutchman said we must remember his:
- Unwavering commitment to his people and their well-being;
- Visionary leadership and wisdom;
- Passion for preserving cultural heritage and traditional values;
- Dedication to promoting economic development and social justice;
- Promoting Social Cohesion and togetherness of his people.
Concerning the Sisulu and Mandela statues, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said there were no delays and all plans were in place to erect them within this year. Both statues are 9 metres in height each.
"The two giant statues of world icons, president Nelson Mandela and anti-apartheid activist Oliver Tambo, will drastically change the landscape of the eThekwini Municipality when they are erected this year.”
Sisilana said the initiative is part of the government's broader programme of transforming the country’s heritage landscape to reflect the diverse history of its people and promote local tourism.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and the Chairperson of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Zama Sokhabase, recently conducted site inspections with key stakeholders and officials from the city’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit.
In November, the statue of King Shaka was unveiled at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban.