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Ceremony to unveil Mandela statue Nelson Mandela statue is unveiled
(about 23 hours later)
A statue of ex-South African President Nelson Mandela is due to be unveiled in Parliament Square in London. A statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in London.
The idea for the 9ft-high (2.7m) bronze statue, depicting Mr Mandela making a speech, came from late South African anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods. Mr Mandela, 89, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were among those at the unveiling in Parliament Square.
Mr Mandela, 89, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be among those at the unveiling. Mr Brown hailed Mr Mandela as the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation".
Mr Brown welcomed Mr Mandela to the UK by calling him the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation". The late South African anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods had the idea for the 9ft-high (2.7m) bronze statue.
Permission refused Talking to crowds who gathered for the unveiling, Mr Mandela said: "Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all of those who have resisted oppression, especially in my country."
The statue's fate has been dogged by arguments over where it should go as well as its artistic merit. Happier lives
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who will also be at the ceremony, had wanted it to stand on the north side of Trafalgar Square. Lord Attenborough, trustee of the Mandela Statue Fund, introduced Mr Mandela at the unveiling and spoke of Mr Woods's "bravery".
However, in 2005 Westminster council refused permission saying it would clutter the space needed for large events. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_nelson_mandela_statue/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_nelson_mandela_statue/html/1.stm', '1188394558', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Your views on Nelson Mandela's statue href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_nelson_mandela_statue/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_nelson_mandela_statue/html/1.stm', '1188394558', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
"He fled his country with his wife and five children and came here as a refugee, thrown out by the apartheid system," said Lord Attenborough.
"He would have given anything to have been here today because it was his concept."
Wendy Woods, wife of the late Donald Woods, said: "This statue will remind the world of the human qualities that Mr Mandela has.
"These are qualities which have helped South Africa put paid to its past and helped us on our first step towards a future where all people can flourish and lead happier lives."
Statue is 'beacon of hope'
The statue had been dogged by arguments over where it should go as well as its artistic merit.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who was also at the ceremony, had wanted it to stand on the north side of Trafalgar Square.
However, in 2005 Westminster Council refused permission saying it would clutter the space needed for large events.
It was finally agreed the statue should face the Houses of Parliament, and stand alongside images of other great leaders such as Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Abraham Lincoln.It was finally agreed the statue should face the Houses of Parliament, and stand alongside images of other great leaders such as Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Abraham Lincoln.
The ceremony will feature gospel singers and dancers in carnival costume. "Long after we are forgotten, you will be remembered for having taught the world one amazing truth," said Mr Livingstone.
Private talks "That you can achieve justice without vengeance. I honour you and London honours you."
Mr Woods chose sculptor Ian Walters who started work on the statue six years ago, although he also did not live to see the unveiling.
Mr Brown and former South African president Mr Mandela met for private talks on Tuesday ahead of the ceremony.
A Downing Street aide said the pair had known each other a long time and the talks were a chance to "catch up".
Mr Brown told Mr Mandela: "I'm looking forward also to the statue being inaugurated in your honour tomorrow in London."
Despite favouring Trafalgar Square at the location for the statue, Mr Livingstone said putting the monument in Parliament Square reflected Mr Mandela's significance as a world statesman.