Siaya Governor James Orengo has echoed sentiments by a section of Tanzanians that the just unveiled statue of founding father Mwalimu Julius Nyerere doesn’t look anything like him.
Nyerere led Tanzania from independence in 1961 until 1985 and played a key role in the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union.
His statue was on Sunday unveiled outside the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a ceremony attended by numerous African Heads of State.
But it quickly sparked criticism online with some Tanzanians noting that it bears little resemblance to the renowned late pan-Africanist.
On Monday, CNN journalist Larry Madowo sought the opinion of his followers on X whether the statue indeed doesn’t resemble Nyerere.
“Tanzanians are saying the statue of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere just unveiled outside the African Union HQ doesn't look like the man. Can you see it?” Madowo posed.
Orengo was one of those who responded saying those who worked on the piece of art got it all wrong.
“The statue doesn't look like Mwalimu. It wouldn't be right to let it stay. Nyerere was everywhere working for Africa and the world and a familiar face in many fora. His image appears in many publications of repute even today,” he said.
Comments on Madowo’s post attracted varied views with the majority expressing disapproval about the features of the statue.
“Wengine wanasema macho ni ya Arsene Wenger. No resemblance kabisa (Some are saying eyes are Arsene Wenger’s),” Maria Sarungi said.
Madowo pointed out that the statue was unveiled in great honour of their founding father and sought to know what they thought should be the next course of action.
“Sanamu ilizinduliwa kwa heshima kubwa. Sasa mtado?” he asked, to which Sarungi said, “That’s not our headache ila huyu si Nyerere. Wajipange!”
Many others echoed her sentiments with one saying:
“As much as I find it hard to accept the mistaken overall face how can you even get the nose wrong?”
In January last year, Zambia removed a statue unveiled in honour of the first President, Kenneth Kaunda, following weeks of ridicule by citizens for poor craftsmanship.
The statue had been unveiled at Kabwe town in Central Province.
Kaunda died on June 17, 2021, aged 97. He was the last of the generation of African leaders who fought against colonial rule.
