President Ramaphosa To Unveil Long Awaited Statue Of King Shaka

Fourteen years after a statue of AmaZulu King Shaka was removed from Durbans King Shaka International airport, a new R4.5 million likeness will be unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week.

The new, 11m high work has been shielded from public view for two years. The initial R3.2 million ground-level installation drew criticism in 2010, that it did not adequately depict the stature of the founder of the AmaZulu nation.

Former Premier, Zweli Mkhize described Andries Bothas King Shaka installation at the Durban International Airport in 2010, as a work that depicts the founding monarch of the Zulu national as a philosopher, economist and administrator. It was made up of a three metre high statue of King Shaka at ground-level, among Nguni cattle his royal shield and spear lying against a seat. However, in his work, Botha departed from the only known likeness of Shaka, sketched in 1824 by James King.

Zulu cultural expert, Professor Sihawu Ngubane explains why some thought it depicted King Shaka as if he was a herd boy.

"I think that was one of the critics that it was too small and, on the ground, and that is why it was erected on a high platform so that you can be able to see it from far."