Nobel Square, V&A Waterfront
Photo taken at: Cape Town, Western Cape
Photo Caption: Our first post features one of our favorite places in #capetown. We love to go visit it at lunch, get close to the founding fathers of modern South Africa and enjoy some amazing local musicians with them. Can you #guesswhere.
Let us know your guesses in the comments.
The Nobel Square at the V&A Waterfront is among the most popular Cape Town tourist attractions. It pays tribute to South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize laureates: the late Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk. The four bronze statues stand a few feet away from each other in a semicircle, overlooking the Square with their backs to the sea and Robben Island. The statues were designed and created by South African artist Claudette Schreuders. At the feet of the statues are engraved notable quotes of the laureates.
The Nobel Square serves as a reminder to all visitors of the hard-won battle for democracy and freedom in South Africa. These four men collectively brought down a faulty and inhumane system of government in a peaceful manner. Nelson Mandela was the country’s first black head of state, who focused on dismantling the legacy of Apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism and fostering racial reconciliation. He was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1993.
F.W. de Klerk worked together with Nelson Mandela to re-write the South African Constitution. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, together with Nelson Mandela. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is known for his work as an anti-Apartheid and human rights activist. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Albert John Lutuli was the first African, and the first person from outside Europe and America, to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. He was awarded it in 1960 for his role in the non-violent struggle against Apartheid.
The fifth statue in the Nobel Square was created by Noria Mabasa. The Peace and Democracy statue acknowledges the contribution of women and children to the attainment of peace in South Africa. A walk around the V&A Waterfront isn’t complete without a visit to the Nobel Square.
Located between the V&A Hotel and CD Wherehouse in the V&A Waterfront is the Nobel Square which pays tribute to South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize laureates. One of these laureates is Nelson Mandela. At the feet of the slightly-larger-than-life-size statue of Mandela is an engraved notable quote which reads “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will experience the oppression of one by another”.
In his younger years, Nelson Mandela led the civil resistance, helped organize strikes, protest marches, demonstrations, and encouraged people to defy discriminatory.laws. His rebellion resulted in a sentence of life imprisonment at the Rivonia trial in 1964. Despite imprisonment, he didn’t waver in his devotion to learning, democracy, and equality.
A Long Walk To Freedom
In 1993, together with Frederik Willem de Klerk, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime. And for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa.
In 1994, he became South Africa’s first democratically elected president and led democracy with pride and grace. He tackled institutionalized racism and fostered racial reconciliation.
After one term as President, he stepped down in 1999 and continued his compassionate humanitarian work. And fought tirelessly for justice, peace and human understanding beyond the borders of South Africa. He continued to work with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund he set up in 1995. He also established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation.
Nelson Mandela’s life and work truly serve as an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived.
