Celebrating Nelson Mandela to inspire future generations

Elaine Duffy
Elaine Duffy

Conference backed the imaginative Mandela 8 project in Liverpool which plans a memorial in Toxteth and an educational facility. The aim of the project is to keep the memory of Mandela alive and to inspire and encourage the next generation.

The motion also called for support for other projects that aim to celebrate the life and values of Nelson Mandela.

“And we have one of those in Scotland, supported by UNISON Scotland”, Scotland’s Elaine Duffy told delegates.
“The Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation is raising funds for a statue in Glasgow and a programme in schools to ensure that future generations continue to learn from the anti-apartheid struggle.”

Elaine said: “In 1981 Glasgow was the first in the world to give Mandela the freedom of the city while he was in prison. That kicked off declarations for his release from 2,500 mayors from 56 countries around the world.

“In 1986 the city renamed St George’s Place as Nelson Mandela Place. An important gesture, and all the more important because Apartheid South Africa had its consulate there. And it now had the name of its most important political prisoner as its address!”

Mandela chose Glasgow on 9 October 1993 to be the place where he would accept the freedoms of nine UK cities, districts and boroughs.

In his speech that day he said: “While we were physically denied our freedom in the country of our birth, a city 6,000 miles away, and as renowned as Glasgow, refused to accept the legitimacy of the apartheid system, and declared us to be free.”

You can find out more about the campaign and donate at mandelascottishmemorial.org

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