Nelson Mandela, Honorary Freeman certificate 1990

City of Melbourne

Registration number

1612069

Artist/maker

City of Melbourne

Title

Nelson Mandela, Honorary Freeman certificate

Production date

1990

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions (H x W x D)

39 x 33 x 3 cm

Inscriptions

Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela / to the distinction of / Honorary Freeman of the City of Melbourne

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Honorary Freeman, Nelson Mandela, 1990, Freedom of the City

Summary

Framed Honorary Freeman of the City of Melbourne, awarded to Nelson Mandela in 1990. In 1990, Nelson Mandela toured Australia to thank the nation for its steadfast support during the fight against South Africa’s apartheid regime. By a slim margin, Melbourne City Councillors voted to invite Mr Mandela, then only recently released from 27 years of imprisonment on terrorism offences, to give an address in the council chamber. He duly obliged. It was his first address to a democratically elected council or parliament anywhere in the world. Many were to follow for this future president of the Republic of South Africa.