afrol News, 23 April - After five years of intense debate, Britain officials finally agree to erect the statue of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in the capital London.

The London Local Council on Thursday identified where the statue of Africa’s leading anti-apartheid hero and fighter should be built.

Mr Mandela has dedicated his entire life to fight against apartheid and black repression in South Africa. He has been jailed for 27 years. However, when he won elections in 1994, President Mandela quickly asked South Africans to throw away racial or any other differences and unite for nation building.

It was formerly suggested to build the statue outside the South African embassy in Central London.

But the deadlock over the place of erection is now over, as London Council confirmed that it will be built on Parliament Square in Westminster, Central London, close to those of the former British Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill and Benjamin Israeli, among others. It will face the Westminster Abbey.

The former South African President’s statue was designed by Ian Walters who died last year.

British authorities have not announced the date of the ground-breaking erection.

“The City Council has consistently welcomed the principle of erecting a statue of Nelson Mandela in an appropriate location,” the leader of Westminster Council, Simon Milton, said.

“From the start, it was my belief that Parliament Square was a more suitable location for a commemorative statue than Trafalgar Square, and I believe that the proposed location is a fitting tribute to a truly inspirational figure."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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