Plans for massive R22 million flag monument approved by Parliament

Despite the outcry by South African citizens, the Sports, Arts and Culture Department is going ahead with their R22 million monumental flag project.

On Monday, the department confirmed it was working on a project to install a massive flag and flagpole to be known as the South African National Monumental Flag. The department’s spokesperson, Masechaba Khumalo, said the project was approved by Parliament.

“The SA National Monumental Flag project was approved by Cabinet in the last financial year 2021/2022. This project is now at pre-construction phase. It is anticipated that this project will be completed at the end of the 2023/24 financial year,” Khumalo said. She said this project is a component of a broader campaign, “#I am The Flag” which utilises national symbols to advance a common national identity.

“This project reminds South Africans that they share a common identity through the national flag and other national symbols. The realisation of shared identity and values lead to nation building and the advancement of social cohesion. A theme of unity in diversity cuts across all national symbols. The national flag, which is symbolic to our democratic dispensation, will thus, be rendered a national brand as well as a monument,” Khumalo said.

She said the Monumental Flag will be a huge structure hosted at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum. The pole will be a massive structure made from steel. “Monumental or tall flags can be found in some countries in the world. This is not a unique South African concept. When such flags are constructed, they become a site for commemorative events. The site will become a landmark and a tourist attraction,” Khumalo said.

African futurist Mohau Pheko in an interview with a broadcaster said South Africans have every right to be outraged by this kind of spending. She said the nature of the state has many different personalities, at one level it’s fragile, at another level it’s weak, at another level it’s powerful, at another level it is just not delivering any services at all.

“But it is powerful when it comes to funding and bailing out South African Airways to the tune of R10.5 billion, but weak and fragile when it comes to development, policing, housing, water etc. “In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, mismanagement, and state capture, it’s seems like there’s a roller coaster of political and economical collapse in the country,” said Pheko.

“We have a state that is able to manage and find funds for its elite projects and this R22 million is a case in point that this is money that could be spent to beef up other more needy sectors in the country,” she said. Cope called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately intervene and stop this “scandalous flag project'”.

“Millions of people are going to bed on an empty stomach. Nobody can justify this disgraceful abuse of power. The priorities of this government are laughable and senseless,” Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem said.