Nelson Mandela statue unveiled at UN

A life-size statue of former South African president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela has been unveiled at the UN's headquarters in New York.

"At 1.8 metres tall‚ the Nelson Mandela Statue is the only life-size statue at the United Nations headquarters‚ signifying the role he played in unifying the world under the banner of peace and conflict resolution‚" the South African presidency said.

Times Live reports that the statue was created by South African sculptors Andre Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, the same team behind a nine-metre bronze Mandela statue at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, the headquarters of the South African government.

When the new statue was unveiled at today's ceremony in New York by South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, he said:

We trust that this statue will remain a constant reminder to the international community of the dedication of Nelson Mandela to the mission of the UN and a constant affirmation of South Africa’s commitment to contribute to a better world for all.

It gives me great pleasure to present the United Nations, on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, this life-size statue of President Nelson Mandela. #UNGA⁠ ⁠ #Mandela100 pic.twitter.com/J9KciUS82K

— President Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 24, 2018