'Millions' for Madiba statue at birthplace

A GIANT statue of the late Nelson Mandela will be unveiled at his Mvezo birthplace on the former statesman's birthday later this month.

Said to be the first in the Eastern Cape, the multimillion-rand statue will stand alongside one of Mandela's grandfather, Chief Mandela, the son of King Ngubengcuka.

Ngubengcuka ruled the AbaThembu during the late 1800s.

Mandela's grandfather is being honoured as he is credited with starting the Mandela name.

A day after Madiba's funeral at Qunu in December, President Jacob Zuma unveiled a towering 9m statue of the former statesman at the Union Buildings. A bust of Mandela was unveiled on the doorstep of the South African parliament in April.

Mandela statues are found in most parts of the country and abroad, including Victor Verster Prison in Paarl outside Cape Town, Sandton in Gauteng and Trafalgar Square in London.

The July 18 unveiling of the two statues at Mvezo Great Place will form part of the activities planned to celebrate and honour Mandela's legacy of nation-building.

AbaThembu royal family spokesman Daludumo Mtirara said the activities were announced last month at a family meeting in Qunu by Mandela's grandson and Mvezo chief Mandla Mandela, who is also chairman of the development portfolio of the Royal Family for the Kingdom of AbaThembu.

Mandela's birthday is observed across the world as Nelson Mandela International Day and citizens volunteer 67 minutes of their time in community upliftment projects.

Information regarding exactly how big the statue will be and from what it will be made was not revealed yesterday as Mtirara said final preparations were still under way.

"What we can say now is that it is one of the largest statues. Everything is in order. We just need to erect the statues. What I can confirm is that it cost millions. We want to surprise people so I can't give all the details now," Mtirara said.

Mandla's spokesman, Freddy Pilusa, said the Mvezo Great Place would issue further clarity on the activities over the next few weeks.

A media statement issued by Mtirara said a series of outreach and social relief programmes would be held throughout July. These would include feeding patients at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and the handover of computers and clothing to pupils at schools in Mvezo.

Food parcels and blankets would also be distributed among platinum mineworkers, the majority of whom came from the Transkei. "We are mindful about how Madiba would feel about them [miners] especially during the trying times as a result of a long strike action," Mtirara said.

On July 18 the AbaThembu royal family would host local and international guests when the statues were unveiled. Scarves, gloves and hats would be distributed at the primary school in the area, he said.

The Mandelas were also working with the Italian government to identify areas of common interest that would bring development. - Loyiso Mpalantshane