The Freedom Front Plus' arts and culture spokesman Corné Mulder welcomed the announcement, but said it was "a pity" it had not been made by President Jacob Zuma during his state-of-the-nation address, in which he had spoken about national reconciliation.

Dlamini-Zuma announced a number of other monuments and memorials that would be constructed or unveiled to "celebrate our heroes and heroines who led the liberation struggle". These included the homes of Oliver Tambo in Nkantolo and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's in Brandfort. The graves of a number of struggle heroes would be restored and declared heritage sites.