Cape Town – AfriForum has warned against the removal of colonial-era statues, arguing that such actions would infringe on South Africa’s cultural heritage.
The call comes as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) push for their removal.
According to AfriForum, the proposal follows EFF National Chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu’s presentation on “colonial memory and its poisonous symbols,” which advocates for the establishment of a parliamentary ad hoc committee to investigate the continued presence of “apartheid-era statues and memorials in public spaces”.
AfriForum beloof om EFF-plan vir vernietiging van Afrikaner-standbeelde teen te staan https://t.co/hRnEJJFaPJ
— AfriForum (@afriforum) September 19, 2025
Nolutshungu called for the removal of the statues of general Louis Botha in front of Parliament, Paul Kruger, and Jan van Riebeeck in Cape Town, arguing that they celebrate colonialism and symbolise oppression.
“The dispossession they represent has not been undone and the economic system they created, where the wealth of the land is concentrates in a few white hands”, she said.
“The presence of these statues reflects the persistence of oppression in the present.
She added that the country should celebrate ‘our own heroes’ and remove symbols of oppression to complete its ‘unfinished business of liberation.
♦️Must Watch♦️
The EFF National Chairperson, Honourable @NolutshunguN tabled the party’s draft resolution in the National Assembly, calling for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the presence of apartheid-era statues in public spaces.
She highlights how… pic.twitter.com/Qnxvvz7Wdg
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 19, 2025
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EFF MP Hon. Thapelo Mogale delivers a MEMBER STATEMENT on Heritage Month, highlighting the painful contradiction between cultural celebration and the enduring legacy of colonialism.
He condemns the continued use of racist and colonial place names such as… pic.twitter.com/YMRt363xhf
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 16, 2025
However, AfriForum’s head of public relations, Ernst van Zyl, challenged Nolutshungu’s remarks, criticizing the EFF for failing to fulfill their duties and promises.
“Politicians who have proven that they cannot build anything, like the EFF, are simply encouraging destruction and violence. Because the EFF has failed to build even one promised school, they are now focusing instead on promises to tear down statues”, she said.
She has cautioned against disregarding the EFF’s demands, warning that it could jeopardize the position of Afrikaners.
“The removal of part of the community’s symbols, statues and heritage is a shameless attempt to strip away this group’s identity and right to exist.
“History offers numerous examples of cases where the physical suppression of or violence aimed at specific communities was preceded by similar actions.
“If, according to the EFF, there is no place for statues of Botha or Kruger or the Voortrekker Monument, the place of the Afrikaner is also in serious jeopardy”, she said.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
