EThekwini’s spin doctor Lindiwe Khuzwayo claims the Chinese artist who made the controversial statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo was the cheapest.
The statues cost taxpayers a staggering R22 million.
Khuzwayo told Scrolla.Africa that most artists wanted R22 million for just one statue.
“This was the cheapest figure compared to others who wanted about the same price for only one statue. This figure also included the transportation of these statues,” said Khuzwayo.
The initial amount was R20 million back in 2018 when money for the statutes was approved, but inflation has pushed the amount to R22 million.
The statues are nine metres high each, but they are still wrapped and not yet revealed.
Khuzwayo also said that so far no decision has been made on where they will be erected.
She confirmed that they arrived last week in Durban.
In 2018 the approval of the statues caused an uproar after rumours that the municipality wanted some of the money to fund the ANC anniversary.
Those claims were rejected by the then ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa and eThekwini officials.
Pictured above: The nine-metre giant statues of Madiba and OR Tambo arrived last week in Durban from China
Image source: Supplied
