Politics
Statue of British colonialist Cecil Rhodes to stay at an Oxford University college — despite calls to remove it
A STATUE of a British colonialist is staying put — despite calls for it to be removed.
The figure of Cecil Rhodes stands at an Oxford University college.
A statue of a British colonialist is staying put — despite calls for it to be removed[/caption]
Objectors say Rhodes, a 19th century businessman and politician, represented white supremacy and is linked to colonialism and racism.
But Oriel College said it would not apply to remove the statue due to complex planning processes and high costs.
Rhodes was once a student at the college.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson called the decision “sensible and balanced”.
Mr Williamson added: “We should learn from our past, rather than censoring history, and continue focusing on reducing inequality.”
Cecil Rhodes was a 19th century mining magnate who helped Victorian Britain colonise much of Southern Africa and held opinions that now offend modern values.
Rhodes was one of the era’s most famous imperialists, with Rhodesia – now Zimbabwe – and Zambia named after him.
Objectors say Rhodes, a 19th century businessman and politician, represented white supremacy and is linked to colonialism and racism[/caption]
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Born in Bishop’s Stortford in 1853, he was a sickly child before heading to Africa aged 17.
He grew cotton before moving into diamond mining, founding the De Beers firm.
As Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896, his government restricted the rights of black Africans by setting financial qualifications for voting.
