Mary Jane 49
08-29-2007, 05:56 AM
Mandela statue to be unveiled
http://estb.msn.com/i/EC/98F2E965F3E5045BC4A50A0C27378.jpg
A 9ft statue of Nelson Mandela will be unveiled opposite the Houses of Parliament in tribute to the "greatest leader" of recent times.
The former South African leader will attend the ceremony in Parliament Square, together with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Mr Brown hailed the Nobel Peace Prize winner, 89, as the "most inspiring, greatest and most courageous leader of our generation".
The Prime Minister has a long-standing admiration of the anti-apartheid campaign leader, and devoted a chapter of his recent book Courage to Mr Mandela's life.
Mr Mandela and his wife Graca Machel visited Number 10 for private talks with Mr Brown.
Mr Livingstone said the statue would reflect Mr Mandela's significance on the world stage.
He said: "Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid symbolised both the fight against racist tyranny and the universal struggle for human rights.
"The statue underlines the warm friendship between Nelson Mandela and the people of London.
"The placing of the statue in one of our most famous squares is an important moment reflecting Nelson Mandela's significance as a world statesman and one of the key political figures of our time."
The bronze sculpture, by the late Ian Walters, was originally to have stood in Trafalgar Square, but planning permission was refused by Westminster City Council and the Parliament Square site was chosen instead.
http://estb.msn.com/i/EC/98F2E965F3E5045BC4A50A0C27378.jpg
A 9ft statue of Nelson Mandela will be unveiled opposite the Houses of Parliament in tribute to the "greatest leader" of recent times.
The former South African leader will attend the ceremony in Parliament Square, together with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Mr Brown hailed the Nobel Peace Prize winner, 89, as the "most inspiring, greatest and most courageous leader of our generation".
The Prime Minister has a long-standing admiration of the anti-apartheid campaign leader, and devoted a chapter of his recent book Courage to Mr Mandela's life.
Mr Mandela and his wife Graca Machel visited Number 10 for private talks with Mr Brown.
Mr Livingstone said the statue would reflect Mr Mandela's significance on the world stage.
He said: "Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid symbolised both the fight against racist tyranny and the universal struggle for human rights.
"The statue underlines the warm friendship between Nelson Mandela and the people of London.
"The placing of the statue in one of our most famous squares is an important moment reflecting Nelson Mandela's significance as a world statesman and one of the key political figures of our time."
The bronze sculpture, by the late Ian Walters, was originally to have stood in Trafalgar Square, but planning permission was refused by Westminster City Council and the Parliament Square site was chosen instead.