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New statue of Nelson Mandela unveiled in Glasgow to celebrate historical links
Overview
A new statue created by sculptor Alan B Herriot has been unveiled in Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow, celebrating the city's historical anti-apartheid connections with the former South African president. Glasgow was the first city worldwide to award Mandela its freedom in 1981 while he was still imprisoned, and he later visited the city in 1993 following his release.
Key points
- A new statue of Nelson Mandela by sculptor Alan B Herriot has been unveiled in Glasgow's Nelson Mandela Place.
- Glasgow was the first city in the world to award its freedom to Mandela in 1981 while he was imprisoned.
- Mandela later visited Glasgow in 1993, speaking to a crowd in George Square and receiving the freedom of the city in person.
- In 1986, St George's Place was renamed Nelson Mandela Place because the South African consulate-general was located there.
- Former Lord Provost Dr Michael Kelly and Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation chair Brian Filling highlighted the city's proud history of solidarity against apartheid.