By Dianne Hawker
Some of South Africa's icons are to become a permanent fixture at the V&A Waterfront on Friday, with the official unveiling of Nobel Square.
Larger-than-life statues of former president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former president FW de Klerk, and African National Congress founder Chief Albert Luthuli will now enjoy pride of place in the newly named Nobel Square.
The product of three years of labour and planning, the statues are a fitting tribute to South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
Friday also sees the unveiling of a memorial to commemorate struggle heroes Robert Waterwitch and Coline Williams, who both died at age 20.
The uMkhonto weSizwe duo were killed in a blast in Athlone on July 23, 1976.
The memorial has been erected in Lower Klipfontein Road, on the sidewalk near where their bodies were found.
Williams's younger sister, Selina Begg, believes the memorial will serve as an important reminder of darker days.
"In a way the memorial will bring closure to my family.
"It's the first time that we will get to thank a lot of people who supported us over the years.
"The statues will help us remember (Coline and Robert) as they were, because they were ordinary people," she said.
Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool said it was fitting that the two events "are happening almost back to back".
"South Africa has created such extraordinary heroes, we almost begin to forget the sacrifices of ordinary citizens," he said.
The Nobel Square project was spearheaded by the Western Cape government and completed in collaboration with representatives of the laureates, the V&A Waterfront, and the province's tourism and arts sectors.
Sculptors Claudette Schreuders and Noria Mabasa were initially commissioned to create the four statues. But Mabasa later decided she would prefer to add another element to the square.
The artist, who lives in Ramukhuba village in Limpopo, had to ensure her sculpture complemented the four figures, and the result is a large dome, resting before the Laureates, which depicts South Africa's story of freedom lost and regained.
"It took me just three days to make the initial clay sculpture. It was very quick compared to my other work.
"The hard part was coming up with the concept. I waited three weeks and then it came to me in a dream," said Mabasa, 70.
Cape Town artist Schreuders's task was no less difficult. It took her eight months to complete the four sculptures in wood before the final bronze products were made.
Often depicted in artwork in the throes of emotion - dancing, waving, singing or talking - Mandela, Luthuli, Tutu and De Klerk stand resolute in the face of the elements.
The two artists agree over the importance of this new monument.
"It is about remembering the past. The four figures seem to tell the whole story of our democracy," said Schreuders.
Mabasa agreed: "My grandchildren, tourists and everyone who visits this artwork will be able see and remember how South Africa was oppressed. They will also know the story of how this country was given back to its people."