A 21-gun salute and a fly-past by SANDF aircraft have signalled the official unveiling of the statue of the late former President Nelson Mandela.
The 9-metre, bronze statue was unveiled by President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings on Monday (16 December), Reconciliation Day.
Madiba’s eldest grandson Mandla Mandela was among the dignitaries there to witness the occasion. Madiba stands tall on the Southern Lawns, where the statue of former Prime Minister Barry Hertzog was mounted, just half way up the Delville Wood War Memorial which is a tribute to South African troops who died during the First World War as well as a plaque in memory of those who died during the Korean War.
The statue of Hertzog has been moved to the eastern part of the Delville Wood War Memorial.
President Jacob Zuma said it was significant that Madiba’s statue was unlike others in that usually he had his fist raised, symbolising the African National Congress’s slogan of “Amandla nga Wethu”.
This statue has Madiba’s arms outstretched, symbolising a democratic South Africa united as a rainbow nation. “He is embracing the country. Both hands are embracing the entire nation,” said Zuma.
The Union Buildings, which is marking its centenary, was also the place where Madiba was inaugurated as the country’s first democratically-elected President in 1994.
