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In defence of Cecil Rhodes

Former South African President FW De Klerk has criticised a campaign to remove a statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oxford University's Oriel College. Upon his death, Cecil Rhodes, who attended Oriel College, left a legacy of Rhodes Scholarships - postgraduate awards for non-British students. The #RhodesMustFall movement began in South Africa, where students succeeded in having a statue of Rhodes removed from the University of Cape Town. Students involved in the movement argue that Rhodes' involvement in apartheid and land seizures in 19th Century Africa make him unworthy of commemoration. Why has Mr De Klerk chosen to criticise this campaign? His spokesperson David Steward explains his position

(Photo: Rhodes' statue stands on the building named after him at Oriel College, Oxford Credit: Jonathan Hutchinson/Flickr)

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5 minutes