Mandela statue joins ranks of Britain's heroes
Mandela statue joins ranks of Britain's heroes. I wait with baited breath for El Gordo to unveil a nice statue of Gerry Adams.
Telegraph
Nelson Mandela stands tall in London
By Richard Alleyne
Last Updated: 2:55am BST 31/08/2007
Nearly half a century ago in a very different world, Nelson Mandela walked through central London and dreamt of a statue commemorating a black man among the great and good in Parliament Square.
Yesterday his wish came true. In front of thousands of fans, politicians and celebrities, a bronze sculpture of the world's most respected statesman was unveiled, taking its rightful place beside the likes Sir Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln.
The £400,000 monument not only represented the huge changes in the world and his life but also the end of a campaign to get it erected in the capital.
Originally mooted by Donald Woods, the late South African newspaperman, and then championed by Lord Attenborough, the actor turned director, it has taken seven years to find a place for the statue.
Its creator, the British sculptor Ian Walters, did not live to see it being unveiled. He died last year.
Amid shouts of "we love you" from the crowd that thronged the road and hung from office block windows, the 89-year-old former South African president and his third wife, Graca Machel, made a dame for her own humanitarian work, were visibly moved at the reception.
Despite being supported by a cane, Mr Mandela took to the stage to address the crowd. He said: "We never dreamed we would all be here today. Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all those who have resisted oppression, especially in my country."
Mr Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail, added that he and a fellow anti-apartheid leader had wished for this day ever since a visit to Britain in the 1960s. "When Oliver Tambo visited Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square. . . we half joked that one day a statue of a black person would be erected here."
Lord Attenborough, whose 1987 film Cry Freedom highlighted the campaign against Apartheid, paid tribute to Mr Mandela, whom he addressed affectionately by his tribal name Madiba. He said: "This is a day of celebration, admiration and congratulations. Across the square from Winston Churchill, who led us from fascism, and the great emancipator Abraham Lincoln, we now have Nelson Mandela, the liberator of people."
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, unveiled the statue, thought to be the first of a living person in Parliament Square.
Described his friend as the "greatest leader of his generation", he added: "Nelson Mandela is one of the most courageous and best-loved men of all time. This statue demonstrates that no injustice can last for ever.
"Suffering in the cause of freedom will never be in vain. No matter how long the night of oppression, the morning of liberty will break through."
Mr Mandela's appeal across the political spectrum was reinforced by the sight of the Tory leader, David Cameron, laughing and joking before the ceremony with the Left-wing former MP Tony Benn. They were flanked by David Miliband, John Prescott and celebrities including Brian May, the Queen guitarist.
Afterwards some of those attending stated they were deeply moved by the ceremony. Danny Fritz, 30, a South African architect now living in London, said: "In South Africa he is a complete hero and it is wonderful that the rest of the world is honouring him."
• Mr Mandela announced that a concert would be held next June in Hyde Park to mark his 90th birthday.
By Richard Alleyne
Last Updated: 2:55am BST 31/08/2007
Nearly half a century ago in a very different world, Nelson Mandela walked through central London and dreamt of a statue commemorating a black man among the great and good in Parliament Square.
Yesterday his wish came true. In front of thousands of fans, politicians and celebrities, a bronze sculpture of the world's most respected statesman was unveiled, taking its rightful place beside the likes Sir Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln.
The £400,000 monument not only represented the huge changes in the world and his life but also the end of a campaign to get it erected in the capital.
Originally mooted by Donald Woods, the late South African newspaperman, and then championed by Lord Attenborough, the actor turned director, it has taken seven years to find a place for the statue.
Its creator, the British sculptor Ian Walters, did not live to see it being unveiled. He died last year.
Amid shouts of "we love you" from the crowd that thronged the road and hung from office block windows, the 89-year-old former South African president and his third wife, Graca Machel, made a dame for her own humanitarian work, were visibly moved at the reception.
Despite being supported by a cane, Mr Mandela took to the stage to address the crowd. He said: "We never dreamed we would all be here today. Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all those who have resisted oppression, especially in my country."
Mr Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail, added that he and a fellow anti-apartheid leader had wished for this day ever since a visit to Britain in the 1960s. "When Oliver Tambo visited Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square. . . we half joked that one day a statue of a black person would be erected here."
Lord Attenborough, whose 1987 film Cry Freedom highlighted the campaign against Apartheid, paid tribute to Mr Mandela, whom he addressed affectionately by his tribal name Madiba. He said: "This is a day of celebration, admiration and congratulations. Across the square from Winston Churchill, who led us from fascism, and the great emancipator Abraham Lincoln, we now have Nelson Mandela, the liberator of people."
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, unveiled the statue, thought to be the first of a living person in Parliament Square.
Described his friend as the "greatest leader of his generation", he added: "Nelson Mandela is one of the most courageous and best-loved men of all time. This statue demonstrates that no injustice can last for ever.
"Suffering in the cause of freedom will never be in vain. No matter how long the night of oppression, the morning of liberty will break through."
Mr Mandela's appeal across the political spectrum was reinforced by the sight of the Tory leader, David Cameron, laughing and joking before the ceremony with the Left-wing former MP Tony Benn. They were flanked by David Miliband, John Prescott and celebrities including Brian May, the Queen guitarist.
Afterwards some of those attending stated they were deeply moved by the ceremony. Danny Fritz, 30, a South African architect now living in London, said: "In South Africa he is a complete hero and it is wonderful that the rest of the world is honouring him."
• Mr Mandela announced that a concert would be held next June in Hyde Park to mark his 90th birthday.
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