Nujoma statue cost more than N$ 280 000

THE government splashed N$284 000 on the construction of the bronze statue of former President Sam Nujoma, which was unveiled at Omugulu gwo-Mbashe in August this year. This was announced by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Jerry Ekandjo, in parliament last week where he also defended government’s decision to award various tenders for the construction of statues to foreign companies. Historians and visual artists recently said the government’s failure to commission local sculptors in creating national monuments was robbing the country of its true pride and heritage. Ekandjo, who refused to reveal to The Namibian in September this year the total cost of the Nujoma statue, was cornered by Rally for Democracy and Progress Member of Parliament Anton von Wietsheim to reveal the costs. The minister was asked to tell the house how much was forked out to pay for Nujoma’s statue and why locals are repeatedly sidelined from national heritage artistic projects. Ekandjo was also asked to inform the nation on how many Namibians have been appointed to partner with foreign firms in crafting statues. Ekandjo said: “One does not just engage Namibian artists just for the sake of engagement. There are many enumerable elements involved like professionalism, culture, philosophy, finance, etc. These people who did this are the best; one of the best in the world,” he added. The 7,5 metre statue of Nujoma was sculptured by Mansudae Overseas Project (MOP), the same North Korean company that was also contracted to craft the “Unknown Soldier” at Heroes’ Acre on the outskirts of Windhoek. Cultural historian and author of the book ‘National Monuments in Namibia’ Andreas Vogt in September this year described government’s refusal to use locals to produce national monuments as being short-sighted and “a danger to the nation’s heritage”. Von Wietsheim also asked Ekandjo to inform the legislative house about the total cost of all the statues erected by the government so far and the cost of future statues the government is planning to erect. The minister only responded by saying:”We budget for it.” The RDP MP also questioned whether state monuments shouldn’t reflect national culture and should, therefore, be created by Namibian artists, which will create a sense of pride and ownership. Ekandjo, instead, took on Von Wietsheim for questioning President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s announcement that the Reiterdenkmal statue in Windhoek will be removed. The culture minister said: “This statue is not cultural or heritage. The statue was erected in honour of those who exterminated our people, so it should go.” Ekandjo refused to answer further questions. The Reiterdenkmal statue was erected in honour of German soldiers and civilians who died in the 1904-1908 genocide and was inaugurated on 27 January 1912.