Tanzanians are taking to social media to express disappointment with the newly unveiled statue commemorating their founding president, Julius Nyerere, in Ethiopia.
The statue, revealed outside the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on Sunday, has sparked criticism online, with some users noting that it bears little resemblance to Nyerere.
Maria Sarungi expressed her views, stating, “I know the gesture counts most, but this statue’s face has very little or no resemblance to Mwalimu Nyerere (old or young).”
Others echoed similar sentiments, with one individual stating, “That is not our Nyerere.”
Julius Nyerere served as the leader of Tanzania from its independence in 1961 until 1985. He was renowned for his dedication to pan-Africanism and for providing sanctuary to independence fighters from southern Africa opposing white minority rule.
This incident follows a similar controversy last year when a statue honouring Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, had to be removed due to widespread ridicule, with many criticising its lack of resemblance to the leader.