Zuma renames Bloemfontein airport

President Jacob Zuma and the premier of the Free State Ace Magashule release doves, at the Nelson Mandela statue unveiling, on Thursday (December 13 2012). Picture: Leon Sadiki/City Press

President Jacob Zuma officially renamed the Bloemfontein International Airport to Bram Fischer Airport in Bloemfontein today.

He said it was an honour to name the major point of entrance to the city after Fischer because of the history he represents.

“On this historic day I would like to say thank you to Bram Fischer and his generation of freedom fighters for pioneering the struggle for freedom and for keeping the dream for a democratic country alive,” said Zuma.

Next on the president’s itinerary is the unveiling of a statue of former president Nelson Mandela on Naval Hill in the city.

Qondile Khedama, spokesperson for Mangaung Metro Municipality, said the 8-metre statue was donated by Bloemfontein businessman Freddie Kenney.

“It is the largest of all statues of the revered former statesman which have been erected around the world, including the ones in London’s Parliament Square and the Sandton Square in Johannesburg,” he said.

Khedama said Naval Hill was chosen as the place for the statue because there are already plans to enhance it as a tourist destination and recreation hotspot.

The unveiling will be followed by a lighting and fireworks show this evening.