Pretoria - US civil rights activist, Reverend Jesse Jackson, has arrived at the Union Buildings where a 9-metre tall, bronze statue of the late former President Nelson Mandela has been draped in black ahead of its official unveiling.
President Jacob Zuma is set to unveil Madiba’s statue this morning at the venue where he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically-elected President in 1994.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi and the Executive Mayor of Tshwane Kgosientso Ramokgopa have also arrived.
The unveiling of the statue forms part of events to commemorate Reconciliation Day, on 16 December, as well as the centenary of the Union Buildings.
Hundreds of South Africans have gathered on the Southern Lawns of the venue and the official programme is expected to get underway soon.
Madiba passed away peacefully at his home in Houghton on 5 December at the age of 95. He was laid to rest in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za
