Madiba statue to be unveiled

Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma will this morning officially unveil a 9-metre tall, bronze statue of the late former President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

This forms part of commemorating Reconciliation Day as well as the centenary of the Union Buildings.

The statue unveiling takes place the day after Madiba was laid to rest at the Mandela family farm in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.

According to the Presidency, the unveiling signals the start of celebrating and living the late Madiba’s legacy and the end of the mourning period.

The Presidency said that from today, the National Flag would be raised and fly as normal. Zuma had ordered that all National Flags be flown at half-mast during the 10-day mourning period declared after Madiba’s passing away.

“Former President Mandela is associated with the promotion of reconciliation which is why the day was chosen for the unveiling. The statue is expected to draw large numbers of people to the Union Buildings,” said the Presidency.

The Union Buildings, which marked its centenary last month, will also be declared a National Heritage Site today. – SAnews.gov.za

Tata stands with his arms outstretched, one foot forward and a beautiful smile.#RIPNelsonMandela pic.twitter.com/gwhvGxs2ZF

— Visit Gauteng (@visitgauteng) December 16, 2013