President Jacob Zuma unveiled a nine-metre bronze statue of the former statesman on 16 December, which also marked the Union Buildings’ centenary.
“It is of great historical significance that we are marking National Reconciliation Day by officially unveiling the nine-metre statue of Madiba, the man who encouraged us to look beyond our differences and become one nation, united in our diversity,” Zuma said.
The monument portrays Madiba in mid-stride with outstretched arms, sporting his characteristic ‘Madiba shirt’ and smile.
Zuma said the effigy was unlike others, which typically portrayed the anti-apartheid icon with his fist raised, adding that his outstretched arms symbolise him “embracing the entire nation”.
Zuma said that depicting Madiba in mid-stride, as he often was, shows him on the move – as is South Africa.
He added that the statue will be a constant reminder to the nation of Madiba’s towering vision and stature.
“It will remind us of his commitment, his leadership and his dedication to the struggle against apartheid,” he said.
The statue, designed by sculptors Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, stands on the Union Building’s southern lawns, where the statue of former Prime Minister Barry Hertzog was mounted.
The statue of Hertzog has been moved to the eastern part of the Delville Wood War Memorial.
Zuma later declared the Union Buildings, which is the seat of government, a National Heritage Site.
“By declaring the Union Buildings as a National Heritage Site, we are acknowledging its historic significance and affirming its value as one of the sites that houses our nation’s heritage,” he said.
“We are doing this as part of our ongoing work to write a new and inclusive narrative for our country, while we acknowledge the past, we also emphasise that we are now one nation and that our national symbols need to reflect that unity in diversity.”
The Union Buildings had previously served as the site of Mandela’s inauguration as the country’s first democratically elected President in 1994.
