Oliver Tambo’s family spoke out on Tuesday at the unveiling of statues of the late ANC president and Dr Nelson Mandela in Durban.
President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the statues, which were commissioned by the City of eThekwini.
Andile Tambo, a relative of the late Oliver Tambo, told ANC and government leaders at the event that the family has received nothing from the widespread use of his uncle’s name.
“We are compelled to observe with a heavy heart that Oliver Tambo’s name is used time and time again for political advantage and employed in speeches, campaigns, and commemoration,” said Andile.
“Yet the living relatives of this great leader have received no benefit from such innovation. Not even the most basic opportunities, such as ordinary employment or support,” he said.
Andile also accused some ANC leaders of having attitudes that brought shame to Oliver Tambo’s legacy.
The unveiling was nearly disrupted by DA and ActionSA leaders, who staged a protest in front of the statues.
Both parties complained that the City of eThekwini spent R22-million in China to commission the statues while communities go without water and have broken sewage infrastructure.
DA mayoral candidate for the City of eThekwini Haniff Hoosen said the metro needs service delivery, not statues.
“60% of the water in Durban is wasted and communities go without it for weeks on end. This is because of the failure of the eThekwini Municipality to repair the infrastructure,” said Hoosen.
“We have a sewer crisis in our city. Sewer flows into our oceans and the tourists that used to flock to Durban have disappeared,” he said.
Hoosen said Durban has the highest number of informal settlements, with thousands of families desperate for dignity.
Original Article and Image Reference: https://scrolla.africa/tambo-family-left-behind-as-ethekwini-spends-millions-on-durban-statues/