Despite an enormous public backlash, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s desperation to push by way of his controversial R22 million flag was not solely ignorant however a “plan to save face following the humiliation and public’s reaction”.
Apart from President Cyril Ramaphosa saying the project – set to be the tallest flag within the nation and illuminated at evening – mustn’t proceed, it made no sense why the minister was still desperately pushing for it, political analyst Ralph Mathekga stated.
“Why is he insisting this thing can actually pass while he knows exactly this is not the right time to experiment in this direction,” he requested.
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“He has seen the reaction of the public and the presidency, of course, has spoken, but I’ve got a feeling that the minister’s insistence is just a face-saving exercise.”
In reply to a parliamentary query from the DA, Mthethwa advised Parliament that the R22-million flag building was now “being referred to Cabinet”, which can make a closing choice on whether or not it will get constructed or not.
Student activist Mmapule Ramalepe stated the rising calls for the minister to resign had been proving to be legitimate as a result of, regardless of what was occurring within the nation, he appeared to at all times miss the mark with the flag and the R30 million National Philharmonic Orchestra programme.
“What is he doing, when the president said he must drop this thing, did he think it was a joke? Because he keeps missing the point, which clearly shows he doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Ramalepe stated.
“He was just under fire for the orchestra and not spending that money on Banyana Banyana, following their victory as the Women Africa Cup of Nations champions, but he still chooses to embarrass himself like this.”
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DA MP Tshepo Mhlongo stated the general public outcry was sufficient to cancel the entire project, nonetheless Mthethwa appeared to have realized nothing from the anger the project nearly unanimously elicited from South Africans.
“The minister is obviously out of touch with the community. There was a public outcry and petitions were signed but even today, this issue is going back to be discussed,” Mhlongo stated.
He stated it was actually astounding that the division can discover no different worthwhile project to put money into.
“The minister is refusing to engage with the public and stakeholders on this. It shows he does not care about nation-building and social cohesion,” Mhlongo stated.
One South Africa Movement chief Mmusi Maimane stated: “Rather than searching for to make use of R22 million on flags that gentle up at evening, Nathi Mthethwa, as a minister, try to be funding the wonderful Banyana Banyana staff that made the nation proud.
“Let us set a standard by fully supporting the careers of these winners and women’s soccer,” Maimane stated.
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