A one-metre tall Madiba statue has been erected for the visually impaired at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg. Mining and resource company Exxaro, in partnership with the Rotarians of Rotary District 9400 (part of a worldwide network of community volunteers), and with permission and endorsement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the South African National Council for the Blind and Stanlib, unveiled the unique statue of Nelson Mandela on the 23 November.
The new statue was created by Kobus Hattingh, who sculpted the iconic six-metre original on which it is based, and which already occupies the Square.
The project not only seeks to celebrate the legacy and centenary of the late past president but it is an action aimed at raising awareness of the challenges faced by visually impaired people in Africa and beyond.
Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo said, “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to change people’s lives through our partnership with Rotary. This partnership is the core of our purpose which is to powering better lives and we hope that this statue will be a symbol of our commitment to social cohesion and inclusivity.”
Department of Arts & Culture Director-General Vusumuzi Mkhize who helped perform the unveiling honours, also stated that the statue was not about the architect but was about the values and the principals icon imbued.
Find out more about what the Director said below:
