- After five years of intense debate, Britain officials finally agree to erect the statue of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in the capital London.
The London Local Council on Thursday identified where the statue of Africa’s leading anti-apartheid hero and fighter should be built.
Mr Mandela has dedicated his entire life to fight against apartheid and black repression in South Africa. He has been jailed for 27 years. However, when he won elections in 1994, President Mandela quickly asked South Africans to throw away racial or any other differences and unite for nation building.
It was formerly suggested to build the statue outside the South African embassy in Central London.
But the deadlock over the place of erection is now over, as London Council confirmed that it will be built on Parliament Square in Westminster, Central London, close to those of the former British Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill and Benjamin Israeli, among others. It will face the Westminster Abbey.
The former South African President’s statue was designed by Ian Walters who died last year.
British authorities have not announced the date of the ground-breaking erection.
“The City Council has consistently welcomed the principle of erecting a statue of Nelson Mandela in an appropriate location,” the leader of Westminster Council, Simon Milton, said.
“From the start, it was my belief that Parliament Square was a more suitable location for a commemorative statue than Trafalgar Square, and I believe that the proposed location is a fitting tribute to a truly inspirational figure."
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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