Who was hiding under that rainbow-coloured cloth in this morning's post?
Let's have a look at some of the people who turned up to find out, shall we?
The party started with some great music - as all good parties should.Then poet Benjamin Zephania kicked off the main proceedings with a splendidly rousing speech.
This is Benjamin.Anyone younger than me should go check out his poetry. He's awesome.
Next up came the London Baptist Gospel Choir, who truly rocked.
Unfortunately, the press stand was between me and them so I couldn't take a photo. But this is their phenomenal lead singer, belting out a version of Labi Siffre's "Something Inside So Strong" that had everyone singing along at the tops of our voices.Wonderful. I love gospel choirs.
Seen skulking below the rostrum was sad Tory-boy Dave Cameron, seemingly miffed that right-wingers were not (for obvious reasons) allowed on the stage with our honoured guest.
Then the main event got going.Sir Dickie Attenborough was our MC for the duration and introduced a documentary on the big screen outlining the life of the man we were here to honour.
Next, he introduced veteran anti-apartheid campaigner Wendy Woods, widow of Donald, whose idea the statue was.
Their family was thrown out of apartheid South Africa in appreciation of their tireless campaigning for justice and democracy.
Her beautiful speech moved old Dive to tears.
Another hero; our wonderful Mayor of London, Red Ken.A true Socialist and the man who led the campaign against Tory-led Westminster Council to allow this statue to be erected.
His speech was the finest of a day of great speeches.
He finished with this:
"Long after we are forgotten, you will be remembered for having taught the world one amazing truth: that you can achieve Justice without vengeance."
Then it was our Gordy's turn.The first British Prime Minister in thirty years worthy of applause gave a great speech, not just praising the Man, but talking of the work they are both undertaking in their Make Poverty History campaign and their ongoing fight against AIDS.
I like Gordy. He's managed so far to avoid using the words "War on Terror" in any of his speeches, including those he made with Bush.
Then came the unveiling.Wendy Woods, Gordon Brown and Ken Livingstone reveal the Man …
Mister Nelson Mandela.
Back in 1962 - his last year of freedom - Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, then regarded by Britain as "the face of terrorism" walked across Parliament Square and joked that they hoped that one day a statue of a black man would be erected here.Not only is he the first black man so honoured, he is the first living person to have a statue here.
His speech again brought tears to my eyes, but he also made us laugh and cheer. At eighty-nine, he is still an awesome presence and his voice is as strong and passionate as ever.
Then the party started …By the way; for his ninetieth birthday, next June 27, he has invited us all to a free concert and party in Hyde Park.
I'll see you there.
And hopefully, so will he.
This was the statue on my way home this evening.Nelson Mandela … the great man … forever caught mid-speech, facing the Houses of Parliament.
He joins the pantheon of great men and women dotted around Parliament …
My pal, Oliver Cromwell, facing out toward Buck House, still guarding the country against the tyranny of absolute monarchy …
Craggy old Abe Lincoln, freer of slaves and no mean speech-giver himself …
Winston Churchill … hero to curmudgeons everywhere and our greatest war leader …
and Boudicca; warrior queen …Revolutionaries … warriors … visionary leaders.
Now joined by probably the most universally loved and respected man of our time.
Revolutionary, warrior and visionary leader, Nelson Mandela.
23 comments:
I am at last allowed on here, and I have to say I am so proud to be able to comment on these great photo's of a wonderful man.
Looks like everyone had a great time...
I would have loved to have been there.....
You WERE there … a few weeks ago with Robyn (this is just across the road from Westminster Abbey).
And it was a truly great party.
A joyous occasion.
From Mme:
Hear! Hear!
Merçi, Mme.
I think my favorite photo is the one of the crowd--it's so diverse, and so many people showed up! Can you imagine standing next to a giant statue of yourself, knowing the company it keeps in line with the likes of Lincoln and Churchill? wow.
He's probably the only man of our time who is worthy of such company, Robyn.
I was a little surprised to see Abe there.....
I have always wanted to see Mandela speak....
And like Robyn, I looked at the photos, all the diversity. I especially like the bobby (isn't that Brit speak for a police officer? See what happens when Americans read Harry Potter) and his hat. I wonder if they don't get sweaty under all that.....
Wow what a truly wonderful ceremony - wish i could have been there!
He is a truly remarkable man - a symbol for all people of all races and all agendas!!!
He is indeed, Jules. And seeing him speak is kind of overwhelming.
He's also a pretty funny guy, which usually gets edited out of the short pieces they show on the news.
Maria: You're learning a foreign language … English, hee hee.
Bobby is indeed a term for a police constable out on the beat.
And those hats … there is still a law extant that says if a pregnant woman is caught short, a bobby should allow her to pee in his helmet. True!
I'm amazed more women don't take advantage of it.
Madella, Cromwell and Churchhill I understand but why do you guys have a statue of Abe Lincoln?
And whats the significance of boudicca?
Kate: Abe is a replica of a statue in Lincoln Park, Chicago, deemed to be “perhaps the most beautiful monument in America.”
It was supposed to be erected, as a gift from the American People in 1914, to coincide with the centenary of the Treaty of Ghent and the completion of 100 years of Peace among English-speaking peoples, but the Great War got in the way and it eventually went up in 1920.
Abe's a good guy; I give him a nod every day on my way past.
Boudicca was a Norfolk gal who lived just down the road from my village. I've posted the story before, but basically the Romans pissed her off so she burned their chief military base at Colchester, slaughtered a whole Roman legion, then marched on London, burned it to the ground and killed everybody. She was betrayed by the slimy folk of Essex (we still hate them) who ran away with the loot rather than face the two legions sent against her.
She was a great British war leader and so forever sits across from Big Ben as a warning never to piss off a gal from Norfolk.
sounds like my kind of girl, mind if i borrow her to deal with my class next week.
Hee hee.
I do seem to have a thing for feisty weemen.
That's fantastic, Dive. Great photos. I heard some of the speeches yesterday, and I was moved too.
Glad to hear it, my lefty friend.
With Sir Dickie Attenborough as the MC, I was sure that it would be a dinosaur under that cloth.
sounds like alifan is getting some dementia.
I was amazed to find Sir Dickie is only three feet tall.
Where's Olive DB? I wanna see OLIVE again!
;)))))))))))XOXOX
Ah, the welcome return of sanity.
Hi, Ame! XOX
Cromwell was a murderer too and in a totally unnecessary way, there are very good reasons why hes hated in Ireland.
There are indeed, old man, but anyone who cuts off a "royal" parasite's head can be forgiven a lot … at least by an English bastard like me.
And after his birthday party next year (I don't want to waste my invitation), Mandela's all yours.
Good hunting.
Wow--I haven't seen pics of London in a long time. It's been a while since I've been out there. Nice to see the statues again.
Come on over, young pilgrim. I'll put the kettle on.
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