By Nangamso Mabindla
15 December 2006

THERE will be a meeting of cultures when an Italian delegation and Buffalo City unveil the world's fourth Multi-cultural Man statue, in East London.

The statue, sculpted by Francesco Perilli, finds its home in Heroes' Park on the East London Esplanade. Versions of the Multi-cultural Man can also be found in Toronto in Canada, Sarajevo in Bosnia, and Changchum in China.

Some of the prominent guests attending the unveiling on 15 December include the Italian ambassador, Alessandro Cevese; the mayor of Nereto, Sergio Moroni; Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela; and Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zintle Peter; with the Heroes' Park board playing host.

The event follows the visit by Peter and municipal manager Gaster Sharpley to Nereto to accept the freedom of that town on behalf of world icon and former president Nelson Mandela. Nereto is 200 kilometres from Rome and is Perilli's home town.

Buffalo City's communications manager, Darby Gounden, said it was fitting that the only multi-cultural statue in Africa found its home in Mandela's birth province, the Eastern Cape, as he was a living symbol of multi-culturism.

"While in Buffalo City, the Italian delegation will … meet with business representatives, the political leadership and sample the city's hospitality. They will also be visiting Nelson Mandela's birthplace at Qunu in the Transkei," she said.

The Italian delegation arrived in East London on Thursday, 14 December and was welcomed at the airport by the acting executive mayor, Val Viljoen.