Statue of Nelson Mandela, Pretoria

The Nelson Mandela statue commemorates the legacy of the former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist. Standing at a towering height of 9 meters, it was unveiled on December 16, 2013, marking the end of the official mourning period following Mandela's passing on December 5.

Crafted from bronze and weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes, this statue is the tallest figurative depiction of Mandela, spanning 8 meters from fingertip to fingertip. The intricate casting process involved 147 pieces produced at multiple foundries, with final assembly conducted in Cape Town. The statue occupies the former location of J.B.M. Hertzog's statue, the former Prime Minister of South Africa, which was relocated in November 2013.

An interesting anecdote surrounds the discovery of a small rabbit nestled in the statue's right ear, added by the artists as a signature of sorts, symbolizing the haste with which the sculpture was created. Despite controversy, the Department of Arts and Culture eventually had the rabbit removed.