Cape Town To Build Mandela Statue

Nelson Mandela may soon take a
commanding position in Cape
Town, under city plans to erect a
statue of him on the site where he
made his first speech as a free
man 23 years ago, an official said
Thursday.
The ailing statesman who has been
in hospital for six days with a
recurrent lung condition has several
statues in his honour across the
country, including an eight metre (27
foot) tall bronze figure in the central
city of Bloemfontein.
The figure unveiled in December
2012 is said to be the tallest statue of
the revered statesman who became
the country's first black president in
1994.
The latest likeness would be built in
the centre of the "Mother city," on
the Grand Parade square, where
Mandela addressed thousands of
supporters after his release from
prison on February 11, 1990.
"We will be encouraging innovation,
creativity and artist expression," said
Brett Herron, the chairman of the
committee heading the project.
"The time line for the erection of the
statue is not yet clear, we first need
to work out the process to be
followed," said Herron.