Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, South Africa

myminifactory

A 9m-high bronze statue of Nelson Mandela was proudly revealed at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on December 16th, 2013. The iconic Union Buildings, masterfully designed by Sir Herbert Baker, had once stood as a symbol of apartheid South Africa. However, since Nelson Mandela's historic inauguration on May 10th, 1994 as South Africa's first democratically elected president, they have become synonymous with the country's new democracy. For five years, Mandela's presidential offices were housed in Pretoria from 1994 to 1999, and after his passing, his body lay in state at the Union Buildings. The statue of Mandela, with his arms outstretched, embracing the entire nation, was unveiled by President Jacob Zuma on December 16th, the day following Mandela's funeral, as part of the annual celebrations of Reconciliation Day and the commemoration of the centenary of the Union Buildings. This object is a significant addition to "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. Through this project, we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the globe for the public to access for free. Scan The World is an open-source, community-driven effort. If you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.