Costa Blanca News

Mandela's daughter visits Liverpool memorial site

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The daughter of Nelson Mandela has called for people to fight against a "resurgence in emphasisin­g difference", as she visited the site where a memorial will be built in his honour.

The former South African president's eldest daughter Dr Makaziwe, or Maki, Mandela and his granddaugh­ter Tukwini Mandela visited Liverpool on Monday to see the site where a permanent memorial will be built.

Addressing community members and schoolchil­dren in Princes Park, Toxteth, Dr Mandela, 65, said: "I think that the memorial garden that is going to happen here should be a reminder to all of us that we all have it in our hands to change the world, it's not a single person who can change the world.

"We are different but in our difference­s there is unity, there is camaraderi­e amongst all of us."

She added: "Unless we are free all over the world, none of us are.

"At this point, where there is a resurgence of emphasisin­g difference around the world, I think we need to fight very hard so that we don't roll back the gains that have been made so far.

"The future doesn't lie in us fighting amongst each other, the future for this planet lies in us collaborat­ing and working with each other across boundaries, across ages, across racial difference­s. That's the future of this world."

In a ceremony to mark the start of work on the memorial, which will include a Freedom Bridge across the lake, a pavilion and 32 cylindrica­l stoneworks inscribed with Mandela's quotes, Dr Mandela said the family was "humbled" to see him remembered five years after his death.

The event was held on the 29th anniversar­y of Mandela's release from prison.

Lynn Collins, former chairwoman of Mandela 8, the charity which commission­ed the memorial, said: "Today we are finally here, marking the start of the next phase, laying the foundation­s and sharing Mandela's message with the next generation and building a true legacy for a man that provided inspiratio­n to us all."

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: "What today is about is about making sure that his legacy, his lifelong battle and lifelong fight for justice and equality for everybody means that we will have a lasting memorial here right in the heart of Liverpool 8."

Dr Mandela and her daughter are due to spend three days in Liverpool where they will visit a number of community projects, and will be guests of honour at civic reception in the town hall.

On Tuesday, Dr Mandela will meet the Prince of Wales as he visits St George's Hall, where a set of Mandela's drawings are on permanent display.

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