A Dutch firm’s proposal to build a monument resembling Nelson Mandela’s face on the side of Table Mountain has met with mass disapproval from South Africans.

Rotterdam-based WHIM architecture, which describes itself as producing modern, whimsical, sculptural architecture, has teamed up with the obscure ‘Mandela on the Bike’ foundation to design the huge structure.

Launched in celebration of Madiba’s 95th birthday, the proposed 12-storey building which will stand at 60 metres high and 30 metres wide is set to include a restaurant, theatre, panorama terrace, conference centre and exhibition area -all encased in the shape of Nelson Mandela’s head.

Aart Bak of the Mandela on the Bike fund said he first came up with the idea of honouring the former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner on a visit to Cape Town, when he envisaged something similar to the Mount Rushmore American presidents monument.

The foundation’s inspiration for constructing a memorial monument on the cliff face of the city’s most beloved and prominent natural landmark is to educate future next generations about Mandela’s legacy through a heritage centre. Furthermore, the organisation claims the sculpture will boost employment and the tourist industry in the area.

The building would have views over the historic area of District Six and Robben Island, where Mandela was famously imprisoned.

The design also takes into account the importance of sustainability as the facade will have two different appearances in order to profit from natural resources. The building will be covered in vegetation and look green from below, while solar panels will provide sufficient energy for the building as well as some surrounding neighbourhoods. A standing statue of Nelson Mandela in the interior of the building also ensures he will be at the core of the building.

The concept has mainly received negative responses as people fear the building will destroy the natural beauty of the mountain, while others believe the humble anti-apartheid hero would disapprove of the idea.

The University of Cape Town’s Head of Architecture Professor Alta Steenkamp said, ‘That might be one of the most inappropriate things that you could do and I would imagine that [Mandela] personally would find that absolutely excessive.’

Many mistook the plans as a belated April Fools joke and Table Mountain National Park manager Paddy Gordon said he nearly fell off his chair when he saw the artist’s impressions. However, he added that due to the mountain’s legal status as a national park and World Natural Heritage Site, the design would not be approved if officially submitted.

Funds are being raised for the project on crowd-funding website indiegogo – but so far only $150 of the $100,000 goal has been gathered.

Judging by the unfavourable reactions of the public, not to mention the fact that the proposal requires a vast amount of funding before the organisation can even contemplate submitting their idea to the authorities, many people will be relieved to hear that the project will probably not become a reality.