At 4pm on Friday 9 October 2026 the statue of Nelson Mandela will be unveiled in Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow.
The statue of Nelson Mandela, created by renowned sculptor Alan B Herriot, will stand on a plinth of South African granite in Nelson Mandela Place. *
Glasgow was the first city in the world to award Nelson Mandela its Freedom in 1981 when he was still incarcerated on Robben Island. He eventually spent 27 years in prison before being released in 1990 and then being elected President of South Africa in 1994 with the ending of apartheid.
After awarding the Freedom of the City, Glasgow went on to re-name the street where the statue will stand as Nelson Mandela Place in 1986. Mandela visited Glasgow in 1993 to receive the Freedom of the City and that of eight other British cities.
Mandela became famous in the world for his long struggle and that of the South African people against the racist apartheid regime which had condemned millions to poverty, inferior education and thousands to prison if they defied the system.
Nelson Mandela became revered throughout the world for his heroic struggle and then after the end of apartheid for his work for reconciliation.
9 October is the anniversary of his visit to Glasgow to receive the Freedom of the City and that of eight other British cities. On that day thousands of people came in torrential rain to George Square, Glasgow’s main square, to hear him speak. He received a hero’s welcome and some six months later he was elected President by the people of South Africa.
Brian Filling, Chair of the Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation, said, “The unveiling of the statue of Nelson Mandela on 9 October will be another great day in Glasgow’s proud history of association with a struggle thousands of miles away.
“The creation of the statue of Nelson Mandela has been brought about by the support and financial contributions of ordinary people over many years. It will be a permanent memorial to Nelson Mandela and the struggle of the South African people against a racist and inhumane system.
“The statue will stand as a testament and recognition of the people of Glasgow, Scotland and Britain’s solidarity with the South African people in their long and just struggle and it will provide a focus for on-going education around the continuing struggle against racism and for justice and equality.”
After Glasgow had awarded the Freedom of the City to Nelson Mandela, later that same year (1981), the then Lord Provost Michael Kelly launched the world-wide Mayors petition at the United Nations in New York. This called for the release of Mandela while he was still incarcerated on Robben Island. The petition was signed by 2, 264 Mayors from across the world.
Glasgow’s current Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, welcoming the creation of the statue said, “This moment will represent far more than the unveiling of a monument. It is a celebration of a unique bond between Glasgow and one of the world’s most admired champions of freedom, equality and justice.
“Nelson Mandela himself later recognised our support, saying that Glasgow would always hold a distinguished place in the history of the international anti-apartheid movement.
“May this statue inspire all who see it to remember the power of standing up for what is right and the difference that a city, and its people, can make in the world.”
*The stone (South African grey granite) for the plinth was procured in South Africa and transported to Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire where it has been finished and inscribed by Leiths Natural Stone. The statue was created by Alan B Herriot at his studio in Penicuik and it was cast in bronze at Powderhall Bronze Foundry in Edinburgh. The foundations for the statue were laid by the contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine.
ENDS ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Further information from Brian Filling, Chair, Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial
Foundation.
Contact: b.filling@btinternet.com
Tel: 07989 346644
Issued by Janis Carson, jmgcarson@gmail.com on behalf of the Nelson Mandela
Scottish Memorial Foundation.
This release in NOT embargoed and is available for immediate use.