Late former South African President Nelson Mandela to be honoured through a statue to be unveiled in Glasgow

Veteran actress and singer Marah Louw will be a guest of honour at the event, following her impressive performance there 33 years ago, on the occasion of Mandela being given the freedom of nine cities of the UK.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

The Scottish city of Glasgow will on October 9, 2026, unveil a statue in honour of former South African President, the late Nelson Mandela, who previously was also honoured in the UK by being given the Freedom of nine cities of the UK.

When Mandela first got that honour at a huge public ceremony, none other than South African veteran actress and singer Marah Louw solidified that honour by giving a spirited performance that drove Mandela onto the dance floor, going toe to toe with the musician, much younger than him.

The city of Glasgow has therefore, not forgotten that powerful performance by Louw, and has therefore, invited her to attend the unveiling of the statue as a guest of honour.

CITYLIFE/ARTS has seen the letter of invitation extended to Louw and signed by the chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation and Honorary Consul for South Africa in Scotland, Dr Brian Filling.

“We are pleased to invite you to participate in the ceremony for the unveiling of the statue of Nelson Mandela in Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow on 9 October 2026.

When Nelson Mandela visited Glasgow in 1993 to collect the Freedoms of nine UK cities you participated in his welcome and the associated celebratory events. So, it is fitting that we should invite you to participate in the unveiling of the statue in his honour on the anniversary of his visit this year.

We are working closely with the Lord Provost and Glasgow City Council in preparing for the event. Planning permission is in place, the foundations have been prepared, permits agreed and the statue is near completion. Our work is now concentrated on the unveiling ceremony.

It would a great honour for us if you participated in the unveiling ceremony which will mark another significant date in Glasgow’s long connection with Mandela, the first city in the world to grant its Freedom to him.  

The Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation will pay for your flight from Johannesburg to Glasgow and return flight to Johannesburg. We will also cover your accommodation in Glasgow during your stay in the city.

We intend to book your flights departing Johannesburg on 7 October 2026 (arriving Glasgow 8 October) and returning from Glasgow on 11 October 2026 (arriving Johannesburg 12 October).

We do hope that you will be able to join us in Glasgow for what will be a memorable occasion,” the letter reads.

When Marah Louw was contacted by CITYLIFE/ARTS on Tuesday, 29, September, 2026,, she was excited that the statue of which she and the Scottish counterparts have been involved in fundraising for, after Mandela passed on, has become a reality.

“It is a big thing. A big honour because I have travelled a long journey with Madiba up to this so far, starting from the time when he was honoured by being given the freedom of nine cities  in the UK. When I performed at Glasgow 33 years ago, it was a month after Mandela was welcomed by big stars at Wimble Stadium at one of the major festivals in the world, boasting big international names, including South African exiles, who felt that they needed to invite a musician based in South Africa, and I became the one they invited to perform in Glasgow thereafter.

It was a moving moment and I can say without any fear of being contradicted, that it was the first time Madiba was seen dancing in public after being released. It was a touching moment when he joined me on stage and started dancing. I did not even invite him. For me, this is the biggest honour of my musical journey,” an excited Louw said.

Louw revealed that thereafter her relationship with the Scottish Anti-apartheid Movement was cemented, with her becoming a member, a membership she kept secret because of the complicated political situation back in South Africa at the time.

Speaking about her involvement alongside the oragnisers of the creation of this statue in Scotland, including attending fundraising dinners over the years, Marah had this to say.

“That is a big call. An honour and a privilege for me. Through the years, I have travelled to Scotland to participate in the fundraising drive for the statue” she told CITYLIFE/ARTS in an interview.