The eagerly anticipated unveiling of sculptures depicting South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize Laureates on Nobel Square at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is scheduled to take place during the second half of 2005. This is as result of a very thorough, consultative process undertaken by the Nobel Square Project Committee to ensure that all aspects of Nobel Square do justice to the legacies each of these unique South Africans have contributed to the country's national conscience and international stature.

As thousands of visitors to the V & A Waterfront will make their way to these sculptures and Nobel Square every day, and because it will become a renowned tourist and artistic attraction for the Western Cape, the Committee believes that it is imperative that the final product is one of the highest artistic standard, and one that will make a lasting and stimulating contribution to public art and sculpture.

Representatives of the four Laureates, the late Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and former Presidents F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, have said that they are extremely impressed with the progress made thus far. All parties have reaffirmed their commitment and support to ensure that the Project is completed successfully.

During the first half of next year smaller models of the proposed sculptures will be presented, together with a proposal for the layout of Nobel Square, to the four Laureates and/or their families, as well as the Western Cape Government and V & A Waterfront, for their approval. An announcement in this regard will be made shortly thereafter.

NOTE: The Nobel Square Project is a Western Cape Government project, in partnership with the V & A Waterfront. The four Laureates, Provincial Government, Waterfront and the Western Cape's arts and tourism sectors are being represented on the Nobel Square Project Committee.

ISSUED BY: Dr Lionel Louw, Chairperson: Nobel Square Project Committee