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Nelson Mandela may not have been in Washington DC on Saturday to witness a statue of his likeness being unveiled outside the newly renovated South African embassy, but his spirit was certainly felt. Before the three-metre high sculpture, created by Cape town artist Jean Doyle, was revealed, and while the speeches were under way, a gust of wind blew open a top part of the cloth covering the statue to reveal its most striking feature, the former president's power-to the people raised fist.
Ms Mandela used the event to address concerns about Madiba's ailing health, and his recent three month stay in hospital. This is an especially difficult time. We've been very anxious about my father's state of health, especially with all the media speculation. She spoke of the panic some of the press headlines created among his family members. International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane echoed Ms Mandela's sentiments during her keynote address, for which she drew on Madiba's life, as she envisaged the kind of reminder the statue will be to decision-makers in Washington who pass by Embassy Row. There's a need for America to continue working with the international community for peace, security and development, and to remember that political challenges can only be resolved by political dialogue.
The statue, while tribute to Madiba, at the same time lauded the role Americans played in the struggle. African National Congress Chairwoman Baleka Mbete paid tribute to activists who demonstrated and were arrested at the embassy in the 80s. The stand you took established, that here we have friends, fighters against racism who feel hurt because we are hurt, who seek our success because they too seek the victory of democracy over tyranny. I speak of the millions of people throughout this great land who stood up and engaged the apartheid system in struggle. Let us keep our arms locked together so that we form a solid phalanx against racism. Let us ensure that justice triumphs without delay.