Makassar, S.Sulawesi (ANTARA Sulsel) - The government of South Africa and the administration of South Sulawesi will jointly build statues of two personalities Nelson Mandela and Sheikh Yusuf side by side.
"The construction of the statues is to commemorate the 20 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Indonesia. The statues will be erected in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Cape Town, South Africa," the Ambassador of South Africa to Indonesia Pakamisa Augustine Sifuba stated here on Monday.
According to him, South Sulawesi has warmly welcomed the plan.
"We have discussed the plan to build the statues with the South Sulawesi provincial administration, and we hope that the construction can be started by the end of this year," he said.
Pakamisa explained that the two are great figures: Sheikh Yusuf was considered South Sulawesi`s son, who became a national hero in South Africa, while Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid crusader in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Vice Governor of South Sulawesi Agus Arifin Nu`mang stated that the administration has approved the plan to build the statues.
The only remaining factor is obtaining an approval from the Mayor of Makassar Moh. Ramdhan Pomanto regarding the construction site.
"The ambassador will soon meet with the mayor to discuss the location," Agus said.
Sheikh Yusuf was a great hero because he was not only the national hero of Indonesia, but also was recognized in South Africa.
"When Sheikh Yusuf was exiled to South Africa by the Dutch, he kept preaching Islam and had many followers instead, which was an inspiration to Nelson Mandela who struggled against the Apartheid system," Agus remarked.
When Sheikh Yusuf passed away in May 23, 1699, his followers named the day as commemoration day. In fact, Nelson Mandela had referred to him as One of the Best Sons of Africa.
Penerjemah : Bessr/A Abdusalam
"The construction of the statues is to commemorate the 20 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Indonesia. The statues will be erected in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Cape Town, South Africa," the Ambassador of South Africa to Indonesia Pakamisa Augustine Sifuba stated here on Monday.
According to him, South Sulawesi has warmly welcomed the plan.
"We have discussed the plan to build the statues with the South Sulawesi provincial administration, and we hope that the construction can be started by the end of this year," he said.
Pakamisa explained that the two are great figures: Sheikh Yusuf was considered South Sulawesi`s son, who became a national hero in South Africa, while Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid crusader in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Vice Governor of South Sulawesi Agus Arifin Nu`mang stated that the administration has approved the plan to build the statues.
The only remaining factor is obtaining an approval from the Mayor of Makassar Moh. Ramdhan Pomanto regarding the construction site.
"The ambassador will soon meet with the mayor to discuss the location," Agus said.
Sheikh Yusuf was a great hero because he was not only the national hero of Indonesia, but also was recognized in South Africa.
"When Sheikh Yusuf was exiled to South Africa by the Dutch, he kept preaching Islam and had many followers instead, which was an inspiration to Nelson Mandela who struggled against the Apartheid system," Agus remarked.
When Sheikh Yusuf passed away in May 23, 1699, his followers named the day as commemoration day. In fact, Nelson Mandela had referred to him as One of the Best Sons of Africa.
Penerjemah : Bessr/A Abdusalam