“Tata, They Did You Dirty”: Newly Unveiled Nelson Mandela Statue in Scotland Leaves SA Divided

• A new monument honouring Nelson Mandela was unveiled in Glasgow, Scotland, on 9 October 2026
• The statue was revealed 33 years after Mandela was given the freedom of the city
• South Africans online were stunned by how young the statue looked, sparking a lively debate

A newly revealed monument dedicated to South Africa's former president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela has generated widespread online chatter following its public unveiling in Scotland on 9 October 2026.

On 12 October 2026, Instagram account @thefeedcapetown reshared the viral video, showcasing the moment the gold sheet dropped in Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow. The bronze tribute, created by sculptor Alan B Herriot, commemorates Glasgow's historical solidarity with South Africa's anti-apartheid movement.

Video reveals jubilant unveiling ceremony

The viral clip captures a crowd gathering under umbrellas in rainy Glasgow as a large gold sheet covers the tall monument. Following a lively 3-2-1 countdown from the crowd, onlookers cheer, while handlers pull down the metallic drape to reveal a life-sized bronze statue of Nelson Mandela posing with both arms raised. The statue depicts a smiling Madiba wearing an ornate patterned shirt, mounted high on a stone pedestal as spectators capture the moment on their smartphones.

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A tribute across continents

Despite the debate over the likeness, the gesture itself was widely acknowledged as meaningful. Mandela's connection to Glasgow stretches back decades, and the city's decision to honour him with a permanent monument reflects just how far his legacy has reached beyond South Africa's borders. For many who commented, the heart behind the tribute was never in question, even if the sculpture left a few questions unanswered.

Watch the unveiling that got South Africans talking in the Instagram video below:

Mzansi reacts to the Glasgow monument

While many appreciated the sentiment behind the tribute, the resemblance, or lack thereof, became the talking point. South Africans commented in droves on the clip shared online.

@lady_siphjo wrote:

"I'm not quite sure it's him 😂😅."

@joann_esterhuizen said:

"Nice thought, but that's not Mandela 😅."

@andrec365 shared:

"As a South African, this is very kind of you; he is, after all, a national treasure 🇿🇦. Anyone who can tell me why they're there and what it symbolises (Just curious)?"

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@aryrafii reacted:

"Hai Tata, they did you dirty 😭."

@kundiemarvel noted:

"He looks 30 🤔🤣."

@viwe_sigcau added:

"He's too young if it's him."

Other Nelson Mandela-related articles

• A group of school learners delighted social media users after a viral video showed them enthusiastically treating a local man who strongly resembles Nelson Mandela like royalty by polishing his shoes and fixing his clothes.
• South African jurist Navi Pillay was honoured with the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting peace and international law, marking another major milestone in a career that began with defending Nelson Mandela during apartheid.
• Nelson Mandela built South Africa's democracy by ending apartheid, driving national reconciliation, and establishing key democratic institutions as the country's first democratically elected president.

Source: Briefly News