The Importance of Statues

Monuments have been a significant part of human history for thousands of years, serving as symbols of power, remembrance and cultural identity.

Erecting statues is important and should be applauded.

However, erecting a statue of a foreign leader on African soil in front of a school should be of great concern.

The recently erected statue of general Mao Zedong (who ruled China from 1949 to 1976) at a newly built high school funded by the Chinese government in Otjimuise, Windhoek, has sparked an uproar among Namibians.

To understand the culture of erecting statues, let us first understand what a statue is.

A statue is a three-dimensional representation, usually of a person, animal, or mythical being, that is produced through a sculpture, modelling, or casting.

The main purpose of a statue is to commemorate rulers and other important individuals.

Statues have been produced in many cultures from pre-history to the present. The oldest known statue dates back about 40 000 years.

HEROES AND CONTEXT

Throughout the world, nations have expressed their gratitude to heroes by carving their immortality into statues.

Placing a statue of general Mao Zedong in front of a school could represent an intention to introduce students to Chinese history and ideologies as part of their education.

In many African countries, there are fears of China’s intention to influence local thinking and thereafter take control of their natural resources.

It is therefore imperative for our government to balance foreign investment with national interest.

“We” is not a homogenous entity in a fragmented country. The question of who the statue was made for hangs heavy in the air.

People relate to leaders, politicians, and influential citizens because they desire to see an aspect of themselves reflected in the image of another person.

Does the statue of general Mao Zedong relate to us?

Parents and the school staff should ensure that children understand the context of the statue and are educated about their own national history and heroes.

The government should engage in a national dialogue about foreign influence and its implications, which can help create a balanced approach to such partnerships.

General Mao Zedong’s policies and political campaigns resulted in the death of millions of Chinese, reported to range between 15 to 45 million people.

LIVED REALITIES

Erecting statues of “glorious” people who did “glorious” things suffers from one fatal fallacy: One person’s idea of glory is another person’s lived reality of suppression.

Our government should therefore be very careful when allowing the glorification of cult personalities.

While the statue of Mao Zedong could symbolise a positive diplomatic relationship, it is essential for Namibians to ensure that our children are educated about our own history and cultures.

Open discussions and critical thinking will mitigate concerns of indoctrination and ensure that such symbols are seen in their appropriate context.

When standing in front of a statue, one looks up. Are our children looking up to general Zedong?

In Africa, when you look up to a person, you respect, honour and value that person.

So, next time China wants to assist, let them erect statues of the late comrade Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, chief Hosea Kutako, chief Hendrik Witbooi, Peter Nanyemba, or Simeon Shixungileni to name just a few.

• *Junias Tangeni Ekandjo is a Namibian with more than 20 years human relations experience in the fishing industry.