Tanzania, Feb. 25 -- Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was finally honoured by the African Union (AU) through a new statue at the continental body's headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

However, the statue generated much discussion, particularly about its resemblance or lack thereof to its subject.

Why do we bother with statues? What purpose do they serve?

Statues have a long history. There was a time when they served a religious purpose. At other times, they had aesthetic value, aimed at representing the beauty of ancient times.

When they made it to politics, they were about representing the power or influence of those honoured.

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe was especially vocal in his calls for the AU to honour Mwalimu'somehow'. ...