Madiba statue graces City Hall
A STATUE of Nelson Mandela was unveiled yesterday at City Hall. It was placed on the spot where Madiba delivered his first speech after being released from prison in February 1990.
Among some of the guests invited were Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Miss South Africa 2018 Tamaryn Green, Premier Helen Zille, and Cape Town mayor Patricia De Lille, who used the opportunity to urge South Africans to keep Mandela’s legacy alive.
“Madiba standing on that balcony after 27 years in prison symbolised the triumph of a generation of leaders who sacrificed everything for our freedom.
“That historic moment has now been captured in this life-sized monument,” De Lille said.
She said the statue was a fitting tribute to Mandela to remind South Africans of the sacrifices he made during the liberation Struggle.
“May it also serve as a reminder that we must all strive to emulate his example of living in service to others for the betterment of our communities and country,” De Lille said.
The statue stands 1.95m tall and weighs 120kg. It was cast in bronze at Sculpting Casting Services in Strand.
Mandela is wearing a grey suit identical to the one worn on the day and even his accessories, including a polka dot-print tie, belt buckle and white pocket square, have been included.
In his hand, he holds a page bearing the first paragraph from the speech. He is also holding a pair of spectacles.
The statue was made as a small maquette, and once provincial and City of Cape Town officials were happy with the design, it was 3D printed at full size. – marvin.charles@inl.co.za