Motorists on the M5 highway have become accustomed to seeing symbolic statues floating on the Black River near the N2 interchange.
The statue of the lady named Hope has resurfaced and this time she has a baby.
Plumstead resident Fred du Preez and his team were responsible for placing the statue in the river on Human Rights Day last Thursday, March 21.
The aim is to inspire South Africans.
“Her infant baby is called South Africa, let’s hope the infant can grow,” said Mr Du Preez of
Hope.
“It was a positive thing putting something into the water called Hope on a day called Human Rights Day,” he said.
Mr Du Preez, who is an art director for a film studio, has previously placed other statues in the Black River with different messages for the country.
Hope was last seen in 2017 holding a South African flag.
A statue of a blue lady in graduation gear was in response to the Fees Must Fall movement (“Lady of hope visits the Black River,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, May 25, 2017).
The new Hope statue has been moved further down from the previous location due to a lower water level in the Black River.
Mr Du Preez thanked the team of people who have been helping him place the statues in the river during the past nine years.
He said it is a difficult job especially when they have to contend with strong winds.
Lindile Matshaya from Khayelitsha has worked closely with Mr Du Preez on the statue.
“It’s difficult working on the statue, especially when we need to put it in the Black River water that is polluted,” he
said.
He said this statue of Hope is looking out for the Black River and he would like to encourage other people to do the same.
Mr Du Preez would like to inspire other people through the positive message of the statue.”Look after the water, look after the country,” he said.