MANDELA STATUE UNVEILED IN LONDON

August 2007

Nelson Mandela was the guest at the unveiling of a statue in his honour in Parliament Square, London. The unveiling was performed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Wendy Woods and Mayor Ken Livingstone. The project was initiated by the late Donald Woods and carried forward by Richard Attenborough. The statue takes its place overlooking Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, among other statues including: Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill.

In her speech, Wendy Woods said: "Madiba – on behalf of my husband and my family, I want to say how privileged we are that you have been our leader. This statue will remind the world of the human qualities you have – qualities which helped South Africa put paid to its past, and take its first steps towards a future in which all of its people could hope to flourish and lead happier lives. It will remind us South Africans how very fortunate we have been.  We have so much to thank you for, sir.  Rolihlahla: Namhlanje, sonke apha, kweli cala, lolwandle, naba, baseMbashe sifunukuti, siyakuthanda kakhulu." (Translation: Madiba, today all of us around the world [on this side of the water], and from Mbashe – we want to say we love you very much.)