André Prinsloo
s c u l p t o r
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - 9m Sculpture
Mandela 9m Sculpture - Union Buildings Pretoria
We were first contacted by Dali Tambo CEO of Koketso Growth in December 2012 with an enquiry as to wether we can sculpt a nine meter figure of former President Nelson Mandela to be installed & unveilled by 16th December 2013 (Day of Reconsilliation). Both sculptors - André Prinslooand and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren agreed that it was possible, but that work should commence immediately. When we heard in April 2013 that the chosen site was the Union Buildings, we went and investigated various possible options as to exactly where best the sculpture should stand. We suggested the JBM Hertzog statue be moved to an adjacent site 200m to the east and that, because of the central position in relation to the Union Buildings, the Madiba Statue should take his place. The Department of Arts & Culture and Koketso Growth had an autonomous impact study done investigating this matter and it was approved. The sculptors considered various poses eg. Raised Fist Salute, but once again, in the Spirit of Reconsilliation, suggested the current open arm pose. Fortunately, after much deliberation, this was approved & accepted by the Client.
For a more detailed account on the making of the sculpture please visit:
The sculpture prior to unveiling
With people right next to the sculpture, one can see the scale of the monument
The open arms mirrors the arch of the Union Buildings
First layer of patina on
Detail of the face from below
The head and a section of the arm behind it prior to transport and final assembly