Fundraising gets underway to commission and build statue in memory of the iconic leader

Sir Alex Ferguson is backing a campaign to install a statue of Nelson Mandela in Glasgow.

The former Manchester United manager and Freeman of the City of Glasgow is a patron of the newly formed Nelson Mandela Scottish Memorial Foundation (NMSMF).

Sir Alex was speaking at the launch of a fundraising campaign to honour the former South African leader and human rights campaigner.

Glasgow was the first city in the world to award Mandela freedom of the city.

Speaking at the NMSMF’s launch in Glasgow City Chambers, Sir Alex - who met Nelson Mandela on three occasions, one of these at Mandela’s home on his 88th birthday – said: “The remarkable thing about Nelson Mandela was his complete lack of bitterness at being imprisoned for 27 years.

“You have to be special to put to one side what he endured and suffered for over a quarter of a century and then go on to lead his country to democracy and influence his people in such a massive way.

"Nelson Mandela was special. An example for the world to follow.”

Sir Alex also praised the people of Glasgow, “For decades the ordinary people of Glasgow have played a terrific role in the anti-apartheid movement and as a Freeman of this great city I am proud to play my part in this campaign to honour a very special man.”

Also present was NMSMF chair and honorary consul for South Africa in Scotland, Brian Filling who organised Mandela’s visit to Scotland in 1993 and was a guest at his Inauguration as president of the Republic of South Africa in 1994.

Filling added: “We hope, with this official launch of our fundraising campaign, the people of Glasgow, Scotland, the UK and the world will respond generously to honour one of the world’s greatest leaders.”