However deeply imperfect and catastrophically flawed, Cecil John Rhodes created SA Whether or not calls for "transformation" at the University of Cape Town (UCT) are a fig leaf for vile politics is irrelevant to those with inquiring minds. A body of students that might be louder than it is representative has asked whether the Cecil John Rhodes statue must fall.Given the age we live in, their protest has even got a hashtag. As I always look for substantive answers from other folk, I wondered whether they have a point. Should Rhodes’s statue at UCT come down or be moved to a less prominent location?That requires an examination of his actions and legacy with an open mind — one that accepts that all legacies are nuanced and complex.But with Rhodes, you feel that no matter how hard you look, no "nuance" can explain away his legacy. The sheer scale of his ambition and arrogance makes him an endlessly quotable figure. Take your pick from the following if you have any doubt as to the kind o...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.