Mandela Square in Johannesburg: The beating heart of South Africa | Photos

Nelson Mandela Square, located in the heart of the Sandton district of Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, gaining significant local and international renown as an extension of the legacy of the late South African leader, Mandela.

Nelson Mandela Plaza in Johannesburg features a huge 6-meter-high bronze statue of the late leader Mandela. Opened in 2004, it is a large plaza with a variety of upscale restaurants, cafes, and shopping outlets, and is considered a vital center for culture, entertainment, and history in the country.

Nelson Mandela's legacy

The Mandela statue is located in the heart of the outer square (Piazza), and is a majestic memorial designed by sculptors Kobus Hating and Jacob Mabuniyan.

Mandela Plaza in Johannesburg derives its importance from being a significant historical tourist area in the country. The plaza provides a major tourist attraction for photography, strolling and dining.

Mandela Square is also considered a symbol of freedom and equality in modern South Africa and a tribute to Nelson Mandela, the most famous president and leader in the country’s history who fought colonialism and racism.

Bronze statue of Nelson Mandela

The bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, sculpted by Kobus Hateng and Jacob Mabonyani, which is 6 meters high and weighs 2.5 tons, was unveiled in Nelson Mandela Square on the tenth anniversary of the center’s founding in March 2003.

The unveiling also served as a celebration of 10 years of democracy in South Africa, as well as the renaming of the center from Sandton Square to Nelson Mandela Square.

Nelson Mandela Square, a home of elegance in South Africa

Nelson Mandela Square is home to some of South Africa’s finest restaurants, high-end fashion and exclusive designer labels, and a European-style plaza, offering elegance, culture, and sophistication under the African sun.

The plaza associated with Sandton City Shopping Centre is also a great place to enjoy Johannesburg's vibrant urban spaces, as the plaza consists of a variety of shops and upscale restaurants, and the central area is a popular spot for al fresco dining.

The square is designed in a European style that combines international style with African hospitality, attracting locals and tourists from all over the world to its sidewalk cafes and leading restaurants; French, Greek, Italian and African, with about one million local and international visitors taking advantage of this shopping splendor every month.