SA leader urged cancelling of flag project amid row

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he advised his arts and culture minister to cancel a $1.4m (£1m) flag monument project following public outrage.

Mr Ramaphosa told a business leaders’ forum on Thursday that Nathi Mthethwa called him to seek advice on how to react to the negative public reaction.

“Of course they are not happy with it. Cancel this thing,’” Mr Ramaphosa told the crowd on what he advised the minister to do, amid laughter.

On Wednesday, the ministry said it was reviewing the decision to erect the massive flag project, which has been criticised by some as a vanity project.

The ministry had earlier confirmed plans to erect the structure, to be known as the South African National Monumental Flag, after getting parliamentary approval.

It said described it as a “symbol of nationhood and common identity".

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: eNCA