Statue of Nelson Mandela unveiled in Glasgow city centre

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 20:49 · Archive

A statue of Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in Glasgow, nearly 40 years after the city renamed a street in his honour.

A statue of Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in Glasgow city centre, standing on Nelson Mandela Place. The sculpture was created by Alan B Herriot and chosen from a shortlist last year. It stands on a plinth of South African granite.

Glasgow was the first city in the world to award Mandela the Freedom of the City in 1981, while he remained imprisoned in South Africa. Mandela spent 27 years in prison before his release in 1990 and was later elected President of South Africa in 1994 following the end of apartheid. He visited Glasgow in 1993 to accept his award, where he was met by around 10,000 people in George Square.

Brian Filling, chair of the Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation, said the statue would 'stand as a testament and recognition of the people of Glasgow, Scotland and Britain's solidarity with the South African people in their long and just struggle'. He added it would 'provide a focus for ongoing education around the continuing struggle against racism and for justice and equality'. Dr Michael Kelly, Glasgow's Lord Provost from 1980 to 1984, called it 'a lasting reminder of Mandela, and of his tremendous struggle'.

How it is being reported

• New statue unveiled as Glasgow celebrates links to Nelson MandelaThe statue from sculptor Alan B Herriot will stand in the city's Nelson Mandela Place, having been chosen from a shortlist last year.BBC Scotland · 9 Oct, 20:21
• Statue honouring Nelson Mandela is unveiled in GlasgowA STATUE of Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in Glasgow city centre, nearly 40 years after the city renamed a street in his honourThe National · 9 Oct, 17:45

In this story: Nelson Mandela · Glasgow · South Africa · Alan B Herriot · Brian Filling · Michael Kelly

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