The statue of Nelson Mandela is unveiled at the Drakenstein Prison.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)Nelson Mandela, his family, friends and supporters, braved a downpour to witness the unveiling of a statue of him at the prison from which he was released in 1990.
The 3.2m bronze statue weighing 460kg was donated by the Sexwale Family Foundation to honour the anti-apartheid icon in his 90th year.
It stands at the entrance to Drakenstein Prison.
Sculptor Jean Doyle met Mr Mandela, who watched the proceedings from a tent close to the statue. His wife, Graça Machel, his former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and their daughters, Zenani and Zindzi, helped Judy Sexwale pull the cloth off the statue.
As the rendition of Mr Mandela emerged the rainfall suddenly became stronger, which many observers took as “a blessing”.
In her speech, Judy Sexwale thanked Mr Mandela for his sacrifice on behalf of all South Africans and assured him that others would continue on his path. In paying tribute to Mr Mandela, her husband, Tokyo Sexwale, summed him up as “a good man”.
The statue depicts Mr Mandela in a suit, with his clenched fist raised, as he was on Sunday 11 February 1990 when he walked out of the-then Victor Verster Prison. He had been in jail since August 5 1962.