Mandela statue to be placed in Parliament Square

 Following a decision by Westminster Council, Ian Walter’s statue of the former South African President Nelson Mandela will be placed in Parliament Square opposite the House of Commons.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingston was delighted by the choice and said: 'This is a huge achievement after years of campaigning. London is proud to host this statue of Nelson Mandela, whose role in world history is finally being given the recognition it deserves. Allowing his statue to be placed in a prominent position in one of the world's most famous squares, facing the British Parliament, underlines Mandela's special relationship with Britain and London through the long years of struggle against apartheid, and reflects his significance as a world statesman.'

The nine-foot, bronze statue by Walters was begun in 2001 when he travelled to Mandela’s home in South Africa where the former President sat for nine hours while he completed the clay bust. He completed the clay model of the statue shortly before his death and commissioned Nigel Boonham to supervise the completion of the statue, which is currently being cast in bronze at a foundry. It is due to be installed and unveiled in Parliament Square later this year.

Wendy Woods, widow of anti-apartheid campaigner Donald Woods, patron of the Mandela Statue Fund, and trustee together with Lord Attenborough and Iqbal Meer, said: 'To honour Mandela with a statue in a prominent place was my husband's idea it's what he envisaged and worked for so this is tremendous news. Parliament Square is a fitting place to acknowledge Mandela’s statesmanship and international stature.'