Bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi as a young man

Nearing the heart of Johannesburg, a bronze likeness of Mahatma Gandhi resides in what was once known as Government Square - a hub that housed the city's Johannesburg Law Courts. The sculptor of this piece is Tinka Christopher, who was chosen by the advisory committee of the Johannesburg Art Gallery. The creation process saw competition from artists such as Naomi Jacobson, Ben Omar, and Maureen Quin.

This bronze statue is mounted on a 5-metre (16 ft) high plinth surrounded by benches. It depicts Gandhi as a young man during his years in Johannesburg, shown looking forward and holding a book while wearing a legal gown over his suit with its cloak billowing in the breeze. The unveiling occurred on October 2, 2003, on Gandhi's birth anniversary, by Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo. To ensure the statue's protection, it is equipped with an anti-vibration alarm system monitored by a private security company.

The statue was half funded by the city of Johannesburg, with the remainder coming from private donations. Before the unveiling, the site housed the law courts where Gandhi practiced law. The main Johannesburg bus terminus now stands on the former courthouse location.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons