South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) stated that it was reviewing its plan to construct a 100-metre tall ‘monumental flag’ worth R22 million on Thursday, May 19.
As per the sources, it is now being said that the controversial SA Flag Project has been cancelled and not reviewed. This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The controversial SA Flag Project has been cancelled not reviewed. This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa. @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa @NathiMthethwaSA https://t.co/vGlcMxGJpW
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) May 20, 2022
The plans of the government had met with criticism and outrage from not only citizens but also political parties and other groups after the department’s budget vote speech on May 10, when the costs of construction were revealed.
The department was condemned highly for spending excessive amounts of money on a ‘vanity project’ when many struggled to secure any funds or held from the department during the last two years of Covid-19. There is also a persistent need for financing and developing sports and the arts in South Africa, which usually go underfunded.
Outa, a civil action group in the country, called the project a ‘monumental waste of money’.
Countries typically install monumental flags to express their identity and pride. South Africa’s intention to build one was first declared in February 2022.
Once it is constructed, the DSAC stated the flag would become a national landmark and a tourist attraction site to display the country’s brand image.
In its yearly performance plan for the year 2022-2023, the department stated that it had already launched on a process to conceptualise, design and install a national monumental flag, along with a flagpole that would stretch 100 metres in height.
Nathi Mthethwa, a minister, said, “A feasibility analysis on the development of the South African monumental flag was undertaken in 2020/2021. The feasibility study results will tell the brief for the South African national monumental flag.”
“R5 million is budgeted in 2022/23 for the site-specific geotechnical studies, including the environmental effect assessment and other tests and applications required before construction. In 2023/24, R17 million is given for installing the monumental flag.”
After following the criticism, Mthethwa defended the flag initially, saying that it was necessary for nation-building and “transforming South Africa’s heritage landscape”. However, it has now been cancelled following criticism.
MEDIA STATEMENT:
Over the past few days the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Mr. @NathiMthethwaSA has followed and taken note of public discourse that has unfolded in respect of the envisaged Monumental Flag. pic.twitter.com/sGfD2S9Op7— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) May 19, 2022
The department turned the anger towards the project as “a celebration of South Africa’s vibrant democracy”.
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