Port Elizabeth’s Upcoming Statue

An enormous statue complex in former president Nelson Mandela’s honour is planned for the Port Elizabeth harbour. Noticeably, you cannot talk about South Africa without mentioning Nelson Mandela. It is therefore an exciting project with so many benefits.

The statue will be built as a celebration of political achievement. It will increase awareness of what Nelson Mandela has done for the country and stand as a symbol of success and accomplishment. The benefits of this statue? The enormous statue of Nelson Mandela will draw hundreds of people yearly thereby improving the economical and tourism infrastructure of Port Elizabeth. No longer can PE be labelled as quiet, boring and without any major attractions! Soon, more people from all over the world will include Port Elizabeth on their list of ‘must go places’. It will not only change the face of Port Elizabeth, but also of the entire country.

The statue will be known as ‘The Freedom Monument’ and is to be erected as a spiral design that will stand 122m high. That’s taller than the American symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty!

In addition to this statue, a cultural museum and a complex of offices, shops and residences are proposed. The project will take the form of a clustering approach, linking it with the central business district. This project is estimated to cost approximately R350 million to complete.

Clearly, BIG plans are being made in favour of not only Port Elizabeth but the entire country.