A monument honoring the iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela was unveiled on September 9 at the intersection of Michurinsky Avenue and Ramensky Boulevard in Moscow. The statue stands in a square named after the former president, symbolizing his enduring legacy of freedom, justice, and peace.
Created by renowned Russian sculptor Mikhail Baskakov, the monument is a blend of bronze, aluminum, and mosaic smalt, marking a unique approach in Moscow’s sculptural art. Baskakov emphasized the significance of unveiling the monument at a time when global upheavals, including those in Africa, make Mandela’s values more relevant than ever. “Mandela was a true hero who fought for freedom, peace, and justice. We immersed ourselves in his history and used that foundation to create this work,” Baskakov said.
The unveiling ceremony drew notable figures such as Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute of African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, who stressed the growing strategic relationship between Russia and Africa. “We increasingly realize that Africa is becoming a strategic partner of Russia. Together, with African friends and associates, we can build the kind of world Nelson Mandela dreamed of—a freer, fairer, and more compassionate world,” Abramova remarked.
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The monument, a project of the Russian Military Historical Society, was completed with the support of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Moscow Government. Alexei Ignatyev, Director of the Center for Strategic Cooperation of Russia with Africa and the Middle East, lauded the symbolic significance of the monument. He recalled Mandela’s lifelong battle against inequality and his enduring impact on the world, saying, “Mandela showed that one person can defeat the system, can fight for freedom, and prove it throughout their entire life.”
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first Black president, led the country from 1994 to 1999. His life was a testament to the fight against racial discrimination. Arrested numerous times for defending the rights of South Africa’s indigenous population, Mandela was sentenced to death in 1964, though the sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment. He spent 27 years behind bars, including 18 years in isolation on Robben Island. During his imprisonment, Mandela became an international symbol of resistance, with the USSR among the countries that rallied behind the slogan “Freedom to Nelson Mandela!”
Mandela first visited Russia in 1999, shortly before his presidential term ended. His influence continues to resonate across the world, with Moscow now joining the many cities that honor his memory with public monuments.
The unveiling of this monument underscores the deep ties between Russia and Africa and reflects a shared vision for a future grounded in the ideals Mandela fought for—freedom, equality, and justice.
