[imagesource: iStock]

How best can one spend R22 million in a country where so many have so little?

Of course, a giant flag that lights up in the dark!

Perhaps when we get load shed children can gather at Freedom Park in Pretoria and do their homework in the light it provides.

We’ve already gone to town on how ridiculous the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture’s plans are, with minister Nathi Mthethwa leading the charge.

His department said the flag has “the potential to unite people” and in a roundabout way, that is totally correct.

Zapiro’s cartoon for The Daily Maverick is on the money:

‘Idiot’ is being kind.

Naturally, the whole fiasco is yet another chance for the ANC bigwigs to have a chuckle at our expense.

Yesterday, reports TimesLIVE, President Cyril Ramaphosa was speaking at the Black Business Council summit in Midrand.

The topic of the flag came up and Ramaphosa could hardly stifle his laughter:

Meanwhile in the world of cabinet decisionmakers, we have some unique insights about #FlagGate.@kgmadisa @tshidi_lee @AndiMakinana pic.twitter.com/eKX7CfhQPP

— Khaya Sithole (@CoruscaKhaya) May 19, 2022

Hilarious, bro.

Mthethwa and the department had earlier announced that they would “review the process related to the flag in its totality” after widespread criticism:

“Over the past few days the minister of sport, arts and culture has followed and taken note of public discourse that has unfolded in respect of the envisaged monumental flag. The diversity of voices around this important heritage project are a welcome celebration of our country’s vibrant constitutional democracy and the freedoms that must be upheld beyond posterity. It also bodes well for one of the pillars of social cohesion, which is an active citizenry.

“In upholding these ethos and the inalienable rights of citizens to be heard, the minister of sport, arts and culture has directed his department to review the process related to the monumental flag in its totality,” the ministry said.

May I suggest the funds perhaps be redirected somewhere they’re actually needed:

The Apartheid Museum had to close its doors. The District Six Museum was begging for funding. Johannesburg Art Gallery is a rundown mess. The Fugard permanently closed. But Nathi Mthetwa wants to spend R22 million on a flag to advance “social cohesion”.

We’re in the mud

— naledi (@naledimashishi) May 18, 2022

The Apartheid Museum is open but has long struggled financially, and the point stands.

What’s truly terrifying is that Ramaphosa’s entire cabinet – 28 people, as well as the president – approved the R22 million flag. These are the same politicians who have watched COVID-19 decimate livelihoods and the economy.

We are not led.

[sources:dailymaverick&timeslive]