Is R22m for a flag justifiable? — here’s a look at what other massive flags around the world cost

The Department for Sport, Arts and Culture’s plans for a R22 million ‘monumental’ flag project continue to make headlines following outrage and criticism from many.

< span>The ministry said the project, which has now come under consideration, would serve as a national landmark and tourist attraction. It said the flag was a symbol of “nationality” and would create jobs, promote tourism and be a national landmark.

The installation of the flag would benefit 17 million during geotechnical studies Rand would cost R5m.

But is the price justified?

Here is a look at some of the tallest flagpoles in the world:

Flagpole in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The tallest flagpole in the world is a title held by the Jeddah flagpole in King Abdullah Square in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The flag is 171 m high. It has beenreportedthat the initial cost of the contract in 2012 was SAR 18.7 million (approximately 79 million Rand at current exchange rates).

< span>Since its installation in September 2014, the free-standing flagpole has been surrounded by 13 lights representing the 13 emirates of Saudi Arabia.

Dushanbe flagpole , Tajikistan

Dushanbe’s flagpole, completed in April 2011, is the second tallest flagpole in the world. It is 165 m high.

The flag flies in front of the Palace of Nations. He held the world record for the tallest flagpole in the world between 2011 and 2014.

The flagpole project is said to have cost 3 $.5 million (approx. 55 million rand) and was part of $210 million (approx. 3.3 billion rand) projects to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tajik independence.

< p>National Flagpole, Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani flag was once considered the largest mounted flag in the world.

She held the titles in the Guinness Book of Records from 2010 to 2011, with a height of 162 m.

The construction of the flag and the flagpole Supposedly cost about 24 million dollars (about 380 million rand).

Panmunjom Flagpole, North Korea

The fourth tallest flagpole in the world was built in 2010.

The North Korean c he flagpole is 160 m high and weighs more than 270 kg.

According to Guinness Book of Records, the flagpole was the result of a propaganda war between the two Koreas and is said to have been erected in response to a tall flagpole being erected in a nearby South Korean village.

The cost of the flagpole are unknown.

AND A LOCAL

Donkin flagpole, Gqeberha

The Donkin flagpole is 60m tall.

It was extended in 2011 from the original 48m and is the tallest flagpole in SA.

The estimated cost of the flag and flagpole was just under R2m at the time of construction in 2009. Maintenance costs around R200,000 a year.

Mandela Bay Development Agency spokesman Luvuyo Bangazi said maintenance on the 60m flagpole at the Donkin Reserve is minimal, except when the engine has failed Exposure to the city’s notoriously high winds.

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