CONCERNS OVER MASKED JESUS STATUE

LOBAMBA – A statue depicting Jesus Christ wearing a mask has raised concerns among Christians.
The statue has been placed next to the public road adjacent to the traffic circle in Lobamba.

It has car tyres placed around it, possibly depicting that its private property.
The statue depicts Jesus Christ wearing a brown mask while carrying a Bible on the right hand. It is similar to pictures which depict Jesus Christ in books found in various places of worship.

Residents of the area believe that the statue depicted Jesus. The residents stated that according to their understanding, the statue was used to sensitise the public about the seriousness of COVID-19.

Campaigns

“I think this is part of the COVID-19 campaigns which are aimed at sensitising the nation about the seriousness of the virus and that they should take all the necessary precautions,” said a resident who preferred anonymity.
Another resident stated that the statue was there without the mask before the COVID-19 outbreak. He claimed that the mask was put after the outbreak of the virus.

He said the statue was an intellectual work of Dumisani Mnisi, who owns Master Artworks shop in the area.
Mnisi was visited at his homestead at Nkanini in Lobamba yesterday. He confirmed ownership of the statute which resembles Jesus in the area. The artist said the statue was there before the COVID-19 outbreak as stated by some residents of the area.
Asked how he arrived at making the statue, Mnisi said it was during the Easter holidays when he felt like making a sculpture that depicted Jesus Christ and place it next to the road for all to see.

“I spent a lot of time trying to set up this sculpture. I don’t even recall how many times I had to start from scratch after it fell,” he said.
He added that the statue was not the only one as another was almost complete.
Mnisi was asked how he arrived at putting the mask on the statue. In response, he said the idea came after the COVID-19 outbreak. He said his sole intention was to sensitise the public about the seriousness of the virus.

“COVID-19 has troubled the whole world so I felt duty-bound to join the fight by putting the mask on the statue. This is to remind the nation about the importance of wearing a mask as they pass next to the sculpture. I think the heavens are not pleased to see people dying from the virus,” he said.
Mnisi stated that having the sculpture depicting Jesus Christ wearing a mask did not mean He had failed to save the nation. He said he believed that Jesus had the power over all diseases and viruses as stated in the Bible.

Asked about his place of worship, Mnisi stated that he was not affiliated to any church but used to visit the Revival Church.
“I sometimes pray in the mountains if led by Holy Spirit,” he said.

Inscription

When informed about the statue, President of Conference of Churches, Bishop Stephen Masilela asked for the exact location of the sculpture. He also asked if there was any inscription depicting that it symbolises Jesus Christ.

The bishop said as far as he was concerned, nobody had an opportunity to photograph Jesus Christ. As a result, he said nobody knew how He looked like.
“I think the statue depicts a Caucasian man wearing a mask and carrying a Bible. There is no statue that can meet the qualities of Jesus,” he opined.
Bongani Kunene, a pastor of a Jericho Church said it could be devastating to Jesus Christ’s followers if the statue was meant to symbolise Him wearing a mask during these trying times.

“Kungasidvumata kakhulu uma singeva kutsi lomfanekiso wa Jesu kulesikhatsi lesimatima kangaka. Sidzinga kumkhonta Jesu hhayi kumenta unmfanekiso,” said Kunene in vernacular loosely translating to: “It would be upsetting to hear that the statue symbolises Jesus Christ at these trying times. We need to worship Him instead of reducing Him in to a statue.” 

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