By Des Erasmus
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba on Sunday said that the controversial giant bronze statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, costing R11 million each, which were commissioned by the city and will be unveiled in March, will be tourism drawcards.
He also brushed aside reports that the city only had 17 days’ cash on hand as a “snapshot” in time.
“Even before their official unveiling, the statues…are already generating excitement among local and international visitors alike,” Xaba said at a media briefing.
“I can assure you that, going forward, no visitor will leave Durban without experiencing this impressive artistic tribute.”
The nine-metre-long statues will be unveiled on 6 March by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Xaba said.
They are part of a strategy to “strengthen heritage tourism” and to get visitors to “stay longer and contribute even more to our local economy,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance in eThekwini has
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