From Cecil Rhodes to Mahatma Gandhi: why is South Africa tearing its statues down?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Cecil Rhodes, (1853-1902) was the supreme imperialist. A mining magnate who made a fortune from South Africa’s diamonds, dreamed of a British empire from the Cape to Cairo. It was his private initiative that led to the conquest of Zimbabwe. He planned a raid on Paul Kruger’s Transvaal republic, which was a precursor to the Anglo-Boer war.

With the slogan “#RhodesMustFall” the UCT students demanded that the statue be removed. It was, they argued, part of a programme to “decolonise education” and bring “racial transformation” to their university. “All Rhodes lead to the colonisation of the mind”, read one of their banners ... read on

The statue of Rhodes has been removed, after being defaced. Photo: YouTube screengrab