London finally decides on site for Mandela sculpture

A London council has decided where to place a statue of former South African president Nelson Mandela, after five years of wrangling, it announced late on Thursday.

The sculpture will be placed on Parliament Square in Westminster, central London, alongside statues of former British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli, among others.

The sculpture, which was designed by Ian Walters, who died last year, will face the Palace of Westminster.

Though a date for the sculpture’s unveiling has not yet been set, the decision ends a row over various proposed sites, with other options including Trafalgar Square’s north terrace, or outside the South African embassy, which looks onto Trafalgar Square.

“The city council has consistently welcomed the principle of erecting a statue of Nelson Mandela in an appropriate location,” said Simon Milton, Westminster Council’s leader.

“From the start it was my belief that Parliament Square was a more suitable location for a commemorative statue than Trafalgar Square, and I believe that the proposed location is a fitting tribute to a truly inspirational figure.” ‒ Sapa-AFP