Mandela’s Statue To Be Erected In Cape Town

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It has been six days since former South African president Nelson Mandela was taken to a hospital for a recurrent lung condition, with government sources saying the elder statesman’s condition remained stable but critical.

Mandela may soon take a commanding position in Cape Town while still alive, as the city plans to erect a statue of him on the site where he made his first speech as a free man 23 years ago, an official said Thursday.

Madiba has several statues in his honour across the country, including an eight metre (27 foot) tall bronze figure in the central city of Bloemfontein.

The figure unveiled in December 2012 is said to be the tallest statue of the revered statesman who became the country’s first black president in 1994.

The latest statue would be built in the centre of the “Mother city,” on the Grand Parade square, where Mandela addressed thousands of supporters after his release from prison on February 11, 1990.

“We will be encouraging innovation, creativity and artist expression,” said Brett Herron, the chairman of the committee heading the project.

“The time line for the erection of the statue is not yet clear, we first need to work out the process to be followed,” said Herron.

Mandela's statue in Soweto
Mandela’s statue in Soweto

Nelson Mandela Statue in Victor Verster Prison
Nelson Mandela Statue in Victor Verster Prison

NElson Mandela statue