APA-Mthatha (South Africa) President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday unveiled two statues of South Africa’s first post-independence president Nelson Mandela in Eastern Cape province to celebrate the revered anti-apartheid icon’s contribution to the country and the world.
The two monuments were unveiled in Mthatha and Qunu as part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations and are expected to serve as a tribute to Madiba’s enduring impact on South Africa and the world.
“These statues of Madiba are beacons of hope to individuals and communities that are still suffering from the evils of marginalisation, and the scourges of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment,” Ramaphosa said during the unveiling ceremony in Qunu.
Qunu is the birthplace of Mandela as well as his final resting place.
“This statue should serve as reminder to those of us elected to serve the South African people that we must redouble our efforts to build a better South Africa that leaves no one behind.”
The United Nations proclaimed the Nelson Mandela International Day in 2009. Since then, the Nelson Mandela Museum has observed the global Nelson Mandela International Day as a strategic opportunity to promote his values and foster his legacy.
JN/APA