A striking four-storey sculpture has been erected at the Eastern Cape’s newest rural school, to commemorate former President Nelson Mandela’s commitment to education.
A striking four-storey sculpture has been erected at the Eastern Cape’s newest rural school, to commemorate former President Nelson Mandela’s commitment to education.
Internationally-recognised installation artist Daniel Popper, 30, has completed the 11-metre giant Tree of Wisdom at the new Mandela School of Science and Technology, which opens in January 2014 in Mandela’s Mvezo birthplace on the banks of the Mbashe River.
“Like Mandela’s legacy, this sculpture will last forever,” Popper said of the giant artwork, which rises above the school buildings. The black granite base of the sculpture has quotes of wisdom from Mandela.
The Mandela School of Science and Technology was built by global engineering firm Siemens at a cost of R100 million, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the Mvezo Development Trust. It is the first high school in the area, and follows a commitment made by Siemens to Mandela in 2010 during the company’s celebration of 150 years in South Africa.
“Madiba famously said that education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world, and the new Mandela School is part of Siemens’ contribution to vital science and technology education in South Africa,” said Siemens executive director Rita Nkuhlu.
Popper has built sculptures and models for international festivals and art events, including Burning Man and Boom. This is his first school statue and his first work in the Eastern Cape.
The Tree of Wisdom is built on a monumental scale from galvanised steel, with a granite base surrounded by a durable wooden deck. It weighs approximately four tons.
According to Popper, “It is not a statue of Mandela, but a powerful symbol of his commitment to education.”
The sculpture was built at the Rootform Art Factory in Salt River, Cape Town. After the steel components were bent and welded into shape, the whole sculpture was cut into pieces and bolted together. It was then disassembled and transported 1 290km by truck to Mvezo, where it was erected outside the hall at the Mandela School of Science and Technology.
“We built an enormous artwork in record time to be sure it was ready for the school opening in January 2014,” Popper said.
The Tree of Wisdom has been designed as a functional art piece which students can sit around during breaks from lessons.
Construction of the Mandela School of Science and Technology began in October 2012 and the finishing work is now under way.
The school campus includes three double-storey classroom buildings housing 25 standard classrooms and three laboratories (science, biology and agricultural); a state-of-the-art resource centre which includes two computer laboratories; an engineering design laboratory and a library; teachers’ accommodation; a school hall, kitchen, administration building and ablution facilities; and a hard surface netball court, a soccer field and a sports pavilion.
About the Mandela School of Science and Technology
The Mandela School of Science and Technology is the first high school in the remote village of Mvezo, the birthplace of the former South African president and international icon, Nelson Mandela.
Its construction started in October 2012 and the school will open its doors in January 2014. Learners from Mvezo and surrounding areas in Grades 8-12 will no longer need to leave home or travel long distances to receive a high school education.
The school has been built by Siemens in partnership with government and the community following a promise made to Mr Mandela during Siemens‘ 150-year celebrations in South Africa in 2010.
About the artist
Born in Johannesburg in 1983, Daniel Popper creates artworks that bring fantasy to life. He graduated from Michaelis School of Fine Art and quickly developed a global career featuring puppetry, performance, installations and sculpture.
Popper created his first giant puppet for the AfrikaBurn festival in 2007, after which he was commissioned by MTN to produce puppets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In 2011, Popper was commissioned by Siemens to create a 15 metre baobab tree for the COP17 climate change conference in Durban, with 3,000 LED lights powered by solar panels and bicycles.
