A bust sculpture of Nelson Mandela, known as Madiba in South Africa, was
unveiled at the Beijing Jintai Arts Museum to commemorate 100 years
since Mandela’s birth. It was also used to mark 20 years of diplomatic
relations between South Africa and China. The bust and inscription were
contributed to by the SA Embassy in Beijing and Consulates General in
Shanghai and Hong Kong. SA Minister of Arts and Culture Mr. Nathi
Mthethwa was present as a guest of honor alongside other senior
government officials. During the unveiling, the national anthems of the
Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China were played,
and a number of guests placed flowers under the statue. 2018 marks 100
years since the birth of Nelson Mandela. The former South African
President is globally renowned for his selfless contribution to the
global struggle against oppression and the fight against apartheid in
South Africa. “Globally, Madiba is renowned for his role as a great
negotiator and a living symbol of reconciliation. He is a symbol of
unity in a country, South Africa, which is courageously grappling with
the legacy of a vicious past,” Mthethwa said during his speech. He
explained that when Mandela and his compatriots were jailed for life in
1964, China was among the countries that sent protest notes and called
for their release. Subsequently, China was one of the countries that
Mandela visited after his release from prison. Given the historical ties
between South Africa and China, said Mthethwa, it was Mandela who
embraced and ultimately promoted the one-China diplomatic policy, which
saw South Africa and China establish diplomatic relations on Jan. 1,
1998. During her speech before the unveiling, Ambassador Dolana Msimang
said, “It is most fitting that we celebrate our 20 year anniversary
together with Madiba’s centenary, as he was the main architect who
built, shaped and nurtured our relations with China.”China unveils Nelson Mandela statue to mark diplomatic relations with South Africa
A bust sculpture of Nelson Mandela, known as Madiba in South Africa, was
unveiled at the Beijing Jintai Arts Museum to commemorate 100 years
since Mandela’s birth. It was also used to mark 20 years of diplomatic
relations between South Africa and China. The bust and inscription were
contributed to by the SA Embassy in Beijing and Consulates General in
Shanghai and Hong Kong. SA Minister of Arts and Culture Mr. Nathi
Mthethwa was present as a guest of honor alongside other senior
government officials. During the unveiling, the national anthems of the
Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China were played,
and a number of guests placed flowers under the statue. 2018 marks 100
years since the birth of Nelson Mandela. The former South African
President is globally renowned for his selfless contribution to the
global struggle against oppression and the fight against apartheid in
South Africa. “Globally, Madiba is renowned for his role as a great
negotiator and a living symbol of reconciliation. He is a symbol of
unity in a country, South Africa, which is courageously grappling with
the legacy of a vicious past,” Mthethwa said during his speech. He
explained that when Mandela and his compatriots were jailed for life in
1964, China was among the countries that sent protest notes and called
for their release. Subsequently, China was one of the countries that
Mandela visited after his release from prison. Given the historical ties
between South Africa and China, said Mthethwa, it was Mandela who
embraced and ultimately promoted the one-China diplomatic policy, which
saw South Africa and China establish diplomatic relations on Jan. 1,
1998. During her speech before the unveiling, Ambassador Dolana Msimang
said, “It is most fitting that we celebrate our 20 year anniversary
together with Madiba’s centenary, as he was the main architect who
built, shaped and nurtured our relations with China.”
