Mixed reactions after R1.8m Zuma monument erected in Groot Marico
Many residents of the small town of Groot Marico in the North West province are currently filled with mixed emotions following the erection of a statue in honour of President Jacob Zuma.
According to News24, residents of a small town called Groot Marico in the North West province welcomed President Jacob Zuma to the unveiling of a R1.8m monument last Wednesday. The monument is a reminder of the arrest of Zuma along with 51 others in 1963. They were arrested for colluding against the Apartheid government.
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The monument's unveiling was heavily criticised on Twitter, with many questioning the need for the monument, especially when the town is poverty stricken and in need of housing, clean water, road restoration, and proper sanitation. There is a sanitation project that was started, but due to the lack of funding, was left incomplete for a long period of time.
Residents are asking if this was a correct use of town funding when more urgent needs could have been taken care of? However, others said the President deserves the statue and that they felt more educated knowing their President's story - especially now that their children will also be aware.
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Here's how Twitter reacted to the situation:
People have spoken,R6million gone to waste,why is it that anything with a Zuma has an outcry, time for Zuma to step down!
— Mohamedh Rapjapji (@mcrapjapji) October 6, 2017
Break it down and sell for scrap , use that money for what ever you need , help yourselves , Goverment isnt going too
— Garron Olivier (@GarronOlivier1) October 7, 2017
— Philiswa Dlamini (@philiswad1) October 6, 2017
Agree !! No town or province in SA deserve t be humiliated with a monstrosity that costs millions. They are already suffering bcause of him😎
— Justice (@HdensumDensum) October 7, 2017
— Mampe Martina Selona (@SelonaMampe) October 6, 2017
Whether you agree or disagree with Jacob Zuma and his presidency, one thing is for sure and that is that he was a part of our country's struggle and the movement for change.
But taking this into account and what he's done since being President of our country, do you think he deserves this statue and was the money well spent or a pure waste of resources?