MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The statue, removed to protesters’ cheers, was stored for “safe keeping,” the statement, published on the website of the university said.
Cape Town university votes for removal of colonial statue http://t.co/F8oKyQFAdq pic.twitter.com/QugFF5KJJY
— Calestous Juma (@calestous) April 9, 2015
A decision concerning the statue’s final placement has not been made yet. However, it is likely to be taken to a museum.
The "Rhodes Must Fall" campaign began in March as the UCT students started throwing excrements at Rhodes’ monument in protest against the colonialist’s racism and his legacy at the university. The UCT was built on land donated by Rhodes.
University of #CapeTown has voted to remove #CecilRhodes statue http://t.co/lEtBPUvBRh pic.twitter.com/bHm88Sjjy7
— CCTV Africa (@cctvnewsafrica) April 9, 2015
On Wednesday, the UCT’s 30-member council voted for the statue's removal, saying that it had discussed the issue with the public, students, academic staff and alumni before coming to the decision.
The removal of the monument marks a successful outcome for the process, that the UCT started in order to “allow as many people as possible to express their views,” according to the statement.
Since the protests started, four other monuments, dedicated to colonial-era leaders, have also been the target of people’s discontent. Figures were defaced, several of them by members of the Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party.
