Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo unveiled a 2,5m-high bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Square in the city centre on Thursday.
The unveiling coincided with the 134th anniversary of Gandhi’s birthday, which was also celebrated in India as a public holiday.
The statue depicts Gandhi as a young lawyer, who practised in Johannesburg and subsequently defended many of his clients who were charged with failing to register for passes, picketing and other political offences.
Speaking to the crowd at the unveiling on Thursday, Masondo said Gandhi was one of the pre-eminent leaders of the 20th century.
He said the statue is South Africa’s contribution in joining the world in acknowledging Gandhi as an icon of peace.
Former president Nelson Mandela also had a message for the unveiling, which was read on his behalf.
In his statement, Mandela said it was appropriate that the statue should depict Gandhi as a lawyer because he became the first person of colour to practise law in Johannesburg, and he had paved the way for others.
He said Gandhi and he experienced both sides of the dock, appearing as attorneys and then as the accused in political trials.
He said the statement he made from the dock in 1964 was also appropriate for Gandhi’s life: ”I was made, by law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought and of my conscience.”
Indian high commissioner SS Mukkherjee said India’s stock exchanges were closed on Thursday to celebrate Gandhi’s birthday, which is celebrated every year.
He said people in Indian were also proud to learn about the unveiling.
Mukkherjee said India had given South Africa a lawyer and in return South African given India ”Mahatma”, which means a ”a great soul”.
Deputy director of arts, culture and heritage services Eric Itzkin said as part of the inner-city development, it was important to look back at history, which often boosts tourism.
He said the statue would be a national and an international attraction.
The statue of Gandhi has alarms, sensors and bleepers to protect it from vandalism.
Itzkin said there would be 24-hour security around the statue.
Gandhi’s birth name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He later became known as Mahatma Gandhi.
Among the leaders influenced by Gandhi’s philosophies was the American civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King. — Sapa