Mandela statue 'a beacon of hope'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The former South African president was visibly moved when Gordon Brown described the artwork as a "beacon of hope" for the oppressed around the world.

The Prime Minister said: "Nelson Mandela is one of the most courageous and best-loved men of all time. You will be here with us always."

A crowd of thousands gathered in central London to pay tribute to the veteran campaigner.

They included Tory leader David Cameron, Foreign Secretary David Miliband and former deputy prime minister John Prescott.

Mr Mandela was accompanied by his wife, Graca Machel, who has been made a dame for her own humanitarian work.

The 89-year-old walked unsteadily on to the stage, beaming at the rapturous reception he received from the crowd in Parliament Square.

After the unveiling, he was escorted to the podium by Mr Brown, to whom he wished "wisdom and strength" as leader of the UK.

Mr Mandela told the crowd: "It's an honour for us to be with you on the occasion of the unveiling of this statue today. We never dreamed we would all be here today. Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all those who have resisted oppression, especially in my country."

Mr Mandela added that he and a fellow anti-apartheid leader had wished for this day after a visit to Britain in the 1960s. "When Oliver Tambo visited Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square... we half joked that one day a statue of a black person would be erected here."