Madiba memorial stone next to Shakespeare, Churchill

Madiba memorial stone next to Shakespeare, Churchill

A memorial stone at Westminster Abbey has been dedicated to the late former president, Nelson Mandela.

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Twitter: @wabbey

Mandela is the first South African to receive the honour.


The memorial stone lies at the head of the nave in Westminster Abbey in London and was unveiled during a special service to commemorate the centeneray celebrations on Nelson Mandela Day on Wednesday.


High Commissioner for South Africa, Nomatemba Tambo, and Mandela's granddaughter, Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela attended the service.


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An emotional Dlamini-Mandela read an extract from a letter her grandfather wrote to his then wife, Winnie Mandela. 


The stone lies among those dedicated to William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill and the Princess of Wales, Diana.


According to a statement released by the Westminster Abbey, the ledger stone, of black Belgian marble, measuring 610 mm x 610 mm, was designed and cut by Nicholas Sloan. 


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"The inscription reads: 'Nelson Mandela 1918-2013' encircled with 'Forgiveness' and 'Reconciliation'."


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