Durban, South Africa, is home to a set of large, distinctive elephant sculptures (often referred to as elephant statues) created by Durban-based artist Andries Botha. These are not traditional solid statues but large-scale public artworks made from a galvanized steel wire-mesh framework filled with stones sourced from a local quarry, giving them a textured, rugged appearance.
Key Details
- Location: They are currently situated at Warwick Junction, near the N3 freeway entrance to Durban’s CBD (central business district). This prominent spot makes them a visible landmark for people entering or leaving the city by road.
- Number and Design: The project originally involved plans for multiple elephants (up to six or more in a “family” group concept in some descriptions), but the installed works have focused on a few large life-like elephant forms. One early sculpture was damaged or destroyed, leaving the remaining ones as the main feature.
- History: Commissioned ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to enhance the city’s entrances, the sculptures faced delays due to various issues (including disputes with the municipality). They were eventually completed and unveiled around 2015 after years of construction.
These artworks have become iconic for Durban, symbolizing the city’s cultural and artistic identity while evoking South Africa’s wildlife heritage.
Current Status (as of April 2026)
The sculptures have suffered repeated vandalism over the years, with vandals tearing open the galvanised steel framework and removing stones. As a result, the eThekwini Municipality is considering relocating them to Suncoast Beach (a more public, potentially better-monitored area along Durban’s Golden Mile beachfront) for better protection and visibility. Discussions and proposals for this move have been reported recently.
just wondering how long all that wire will last on the beach, galvanized or not, best bet 6 months i guess