Cape Town – Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele has reportedly thrown his weight behind the controversial R22 million monumental flag project, saying it would strengthen social cohesion.
According to EWN, Gungubele said this during a post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday last week.
“If people can look at the flag and its content, they will find it is a critical flag to actually reinforce cohesion in South Africa. But the issue of cost is what the minister is reviewing especially in the context of the contesting needs in our country. Access to water, poverty, access to food. We also continue to actually commend the minister for that exercise,” the report quoted Gungubele as saying.
Mthethwa recently announced that his department planned to install a gigantic flag that would serve as a national landmark and a tourist attraction.
The flag was expected to be fitted at a cost of R17 million, with geotechnical studies valued at R5 million.
However, South Africans were not impressed by the idea, resulting in Mthethwa saying that the decision would be reviewed.
ALSO READ: WATCH | ‘Cancel this thing’ – Cyril Ramaphosa tells Nathi Mthethwa to scrap R22m flag project
Mthethwa had initially defended the plan, telling eNCA during an interview that the monumental flag would provide “continuous education” and “outlive us”.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) slammed the plan and described it as absurd, pointless, senseless and ridiculous.
Mthethwas was also slammed by other political parties such as ActionSA, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Freedom Front Plus (FF+) to name just a few.
Speaking at the Black Business Council dinner in Midrand a week ago President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he told Mthethwa to scrap the project.
Times Live reported that the cabinet would be updated on the review at a later stage.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Picture: Facebook/ Khumbulani Nene
For more African news visit, Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
