Nelson Mandela in London
South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela was in London this week for the unveiling of a new statute of him in Parliament Square. I lost no time in going down to have a look today.
Statue of Nelson Mandela
in London’s Parliament Square
The statute is on a much lower plinth than the others in the square which makes it more accessible and the open arms pose makes it more personal. But this is a large and imposing work that stands 9 foot (2.7 metres) high. The work was the idea of Donald Woods, whose story was told in the film “Cry Freedom” [my review here] and the sculptor was Ian Walters who has since died.
Of course, Nelson Mandela is the most heroic figure of our generation and something of a secular saint. I have read his biography “Long Walk To Freedom” [my review here] and actually saw him on an earlier visit to London [my blog posting here].