Nelson Mandela Statue

This nine-metre bronze statue on the grounds of the Union Buildings depicts Nelson Mandela with arms outstretched in an embracing gesture. Unveiled in December 2013, days after his death, it stands on the terraced gardens below the seat of government where he was inaugurated as president in 1994. The figure looks out over the capital and has become a place of pilgrimage and photography. Its scale and welcoming pose have made it one of the most visited monuments in the city, symbolising reconciliation and the transition to democracy.