Nelson Mandela Square is a shopping centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, that includes a large open area built to resemble a traditional European town square, and an office complex. The centre was formerly known as Sandton Square and was named for the former president of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in March 2004. A six metre high statue of Mandela was unveiled at the ceremony to rename the square.[1][2] It is attached to the large Sandton City shopping centre, together forming one of the largest retail complexes on the continent with over 400 stores. The Michelangelo Towers complex adjoins Nelson Mandela Square.[3]
The Square, then known by its original name of Sandton Square, was first opened to the public in 1994. The shopping centre was designed in a faux-Italian style [clarification needed] and the square was designed to resemble St Marks Square in Venice.[4] Its design included a library, theatre and gallery.[4]
On its 10th anniversary, in 2004, it was officially renamed Nelson Mandela Square after the unveiling of a bronze, six-metre tall statue of Mandela. It was the first public statue of Mandela in the country. It was commissioned in July 2002 and completed in February 2004 by South African Sculptors Kobus Hattingh and Jacob Maponyane. It weighs approximately 2.5 tons.
The decision to rename the Square after Mandela was criticised by some as Mandela had long stood for the disadvantaged and the square stands in the most opulent area of the country. Gary Vipond, the Square's manager, defended the decision by explaining that, "The Square is optimistic, expressive and confident, like the Madiba jive, and represents a sophisticated, eclectic, cosmopolitan success story."[2]
The shopping centre is connected to Sandton City and, together, they form the largest retail complex in Africa. The square itself is approximately 1000 square metres and houses many shops, restaurants and a library on the far end.[5]
^ abChandrea Gerber. . South Africa Info - Joburg unveils Mandela statue. South Africa Info. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
^"Michelangelo Hotel : Nelson Mandela Square". nelsonmandelasquare.co.za.
nelson, mandela, square, confused, with, nelson, mandela, park, shopping, centre, sandton, johannesburg, south, africa, that, includes, large, open, area, built, resemble, traditional, european, town, square, office, complex, centre, formerly, known, sandton, . Not to be confused with Nelson Mandela Park Nelson Mandela Square is a shopping centre in Sandton Johannesburg South Africa that includes a large open area built to resemble a traditional European town square and an office complex The centre was formerly known as Sandton Square and was named for the former president of South Africa and anti apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in March 2004 A six metre high statue of Mandela was unveiled at the ceremony to rename the square 1 2 It is attached to the large Sandton City shopping centre together forming one of the largest retail complexes on the continent with over 400 stores The Michelangelo Towers complex adjoins Nelson Mandela Square 3 Nelson Mandela SquareThe Square in 2015Former name s Sandton SquareNamesakeNelson MandelaLocationSandton Johannesburg South AfricaPostal code2196OtherWebsitenelsonmandelasquare wbr co wbr za Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksHistory editThe Square then known by its original name of Sandton Square was first opened to the public in 1994 The shopping centre was designed in a faux Italian style clarification needed and the square was designed to resemble St Marks Square in Venice 4 Its design included a library theatre and gallery 4 On its 10th anniversary in 2004 it was officially renamed Nelson Mandela Square after the unveiling of a bronze six metre tall statue of Mandela It was the first public statue of Mandela in the country It was commissioned in July 2002 and completed in February 2004 by South African Sculptors Kobus Hattingh and Jacob Maponyane It weighs approximately 2 5 tons The decision to rename the Square after Mandela was criticised by some as Mandela had long stood for the disadvantaged and the square stands in the most opulent area of the country Gary Vipond the Square s manager defended the decision by explaining that The Square is optimistic expressive and confident like the Madiba jive and represents a sophisticated eclectic cosmopolitan success story 2 The shopping centre is connected to Sandton City and together they form the largest retail complex in Africa The square itself is approximately 1000 square metres and houses many shops restaurants and a library on the far end 5 See also editList of awards and honours bestowed on Nelson MandelaReferences edit Eish www southafrica net a b Chandrea Gerber Joburg unveils Mandela statue South Africa Info Joburg unveils Mandela statue South Africa Info Archived from the original on 14 April 2015 Retrieved 12 April 2015 Michelangelo Hotel Nelson Mandela Square nelsonmandelasquare co za a b Nelson Mandela Square Nelson Mandela Square About Us Retrieved 17 February 2016 permanent dead link External links editOfficial website 26 06 27 S 28 03 17 E 26 1074 S 28 0546 E 26 1074 28 0546 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nelson Mandela Square amp oldid 1197540028, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
