Verwoerd stays put

MIDVAAL mayor Timothy Nast says people will be very angry if he removed the bust of apartheid architect Hendrik Verwoerd outside the municipal buildings in Meyerton

His sentiments are supported by numerous white residents Sowetan spoke to yesterday.

The Mail and Guardian on Sunday reported Nast as saying that removing Verwoerd's bust would cause a public outcry.

"The statue is part of our history. We cannot remove it just like that. The community has to be informed of the decision and be given an opportunity to either object or agree," resident Andrew Scott said.

Scott said he would be happy if, instead of removing Verwoerd's bust, the authorities also put (former president Nelson) Mandela's statue next to it.

Verwoerd is a former prime minister of the apartheid government who espoused the policy of "separate development", in terms of which black ethnic groups were supposed to govern themselves in the "homelands".

The policy sought to pre-empt the need for large- scale migration by black people to the country's towns and cities. He also introduced the "Bantu education" system, through which black people were given inferior education, thereby preparing them to become labourers.

"Change is good, but we have to remember our history," Scott said.

Another resident, Jutta Cotz, said officials should consider putting Mandela's bust next to Verwoerd's instead of removing it.

"Changing road names, erecting statues on buildings and things like that should not be done haphazardly. There is nothing wrong with change, but people should consider the feelings of other segments of the society.

"Why don't they put Mandela's statue next to his bust?" Cotz asked.

Michele Henderson, who has been living in Meyerton for 36 years, said: "The statue has become part of our identity."

Another resident, Robert Scott, said the bust was part of their tradition.

"Removing statues is not about race, colour or creed, it is about people's traditions," he said.

Nast told Sowetan yesterday: "Residents needing services such as extension of the sewerage system would be angry if Midvaal spent money on removing the bust instead of improving services."