Mandela statues on display in uMhlanga

Kevin Josephs, Marius Earle (general manager) and Sam Ramsamy recently at the Oceans Radisson Blu hotel in Durban. South Africa Pictures: Theo Jeptha African News Agency(ANA)

Kevin Josephs, Marius Earle (general manager) and Sam Ramsamy recently at the Oceans Radisson Blu hotel in Durban. South Africa Pictures: Theo Jeptha African News Agency(ANA)

Published Aug 4, 2022

Share

Durban — Approximately 15 life-size statues of Nelson Mandela in wax and bronze are on display at the Radisson Blu Hotel in uMhlanga.

World-renowned Durban-based artist Lungelo Gumede has masterfully created each line and curve in the statues.

Mandela Statues recently at the Oceans Radisson Blu hotel in Durban. South Africa Pictures: Theo Jeptha African News Agency(ANA)

Gumede said that the exhibition of the statues was originally planned to take place on International Nelson Mandela Day, but the exhibition coincided with the launch of a book by Durban-based author and photographer Kevin Joseph, titled Mandela in Focus.

From left to right is Sam Ramsamy and Kevin Josephs recently at the Oceans Radisson Blu hotel in Durban. South Africa Pictures: Theo Jeptha African News Agency(ANA)

He said the exhibition was supposed to be removed at the end of July but the reception from the public motivated him to leave it in place until the end of August.

“People are overwhelmed with the statues and are taking selfies and photographs which are being shared on an international platform,” Gumede said.

Sam Ramsamy looking at one of the masterpiece Mandela statues recently at the Oceans Radisson Blu hotel in Durban. South Africa Pictures: Theo Jeptha African News Agency(ANA)

Gumede was born and raised in Ndwedwe, near Inanda, north of Durban, and shot to international fame through his works of art.

A trip to Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York forged a burning desire in him to showcase his African waxwork masterpieces.

From left to right are Kevin Josephs, Marius Earle (General Manager) and Sam Ramsamy recently at the Oceans Radisson Blu hotel in Durban. South Africa Pictures: Theo Jeptha African News Agency(ANA)

Daily News