Mandela statue

There is no proposal to put Nelson Mandela on the fourth plinth. The proposal is that Nelson Mandela's statue should be on the piazza between the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square towards the eastern end, so that it does not obstruct the view up the flight of stairs.

We did look at putting Nelson Mandela's statue outside South Africa House, but there are real public safety problems, because you have a quite narrow pavement, and in the manner of things, there will often be commemorations, demonstrations, and anniversary rallies which would spill over into the main flow of traffic going south.

Equally, it is strongly resisted by South Africa House on security grounds, as well. Thus, the site we are proposing is just set back from the main pavement running on the eastern side of Trafalgar Square and the piazza along the National Gallery.