With FIFA World Cup 2026 just weeks away, Atlanta is continuing to showcase what makes it a global city.
On Wednesday, Mayor Andre Dickens joined airport leaders, international guests, and community members at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to unveil a new sculpture honoring Nelson Mandela. The artwork, gifted to the City of Atlanta following the Mayor’s visits to South Africa, now stands in the International Arrivals area, where it will welcome travelers from around the world.
The sculpture was created by Cape Town artist Marco Olivier and serves as a symbol of the growing relationship between Atlanta and South Africa.
During the unveiling ceremony, Mayor Dickens reflected on his travels to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, where he saw firsthand the connections between Atlanta’s history and South Africa’s journey toward freedom and equality.
“Across all the cities, we were struck by the beauty and diversity, but also by the spirit of resilience and hope,” Mayor Dickens said. “The same things people see when they visit Atlanta.”
The Mayor noted that both Atlanta and cities across South Africa have been shaped by movements that inspired people around the world and continue to serve as centers of innovation, education, business, and culture.
The sculpture’s new home at Hartsfield-Jackson is especially meaningful as Atlanta prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors during FIFA World Cup 2026. For many international travelers, the airport will be their first experience in the city.
More than a work of art, the Mandela sculpture represents the values that connect people across borders—resilience, opportunity, and a belief that progress is possible when communities come together.
As visitors arrive in Atlanta over the coming months, they will now be greeted by a powerful reminder of one of the world’s most influential leaders and the enduring ties between Atlanta and South Africa.
The installation also reinforces Atlanta’s reputation as a city that embraces global partnerships, celebrates culture, and continues to build connections that extend far beyond its borders.
With the world preparing to arrive in Atlanta, the city’s newest public artwork offers a fitting welcome: a symbol of hope, dignity, and the shared pursuit of a brighter future.
