So show us a picture!

John Punshon, Milton Keynes,

Mandela's international standing as a statesman is unquestionable; he of all people represents the very best in all of us. Humanity is very much blessed by his deeds, good nature and statesmanship. The statue is a worthy memorial of a man who gave his people and all that are oppressed hope. We salute Mandela as a great leader who deserves a place right before the mother of parliament.

Patrick McKerrow, Croydon, UK

Mandela's international standing as a statesman is unquestionable; he of all people represents the very best in all of us. Humanity is very much blessed by his deeds, good nature and statesmanship. The statue is a worthy memorial of a man who gave his people and all that are oppressed hope. We salute Mandela as a great leader who deserves a place right before the mother of parliament.

Patrick McKerrow, Croydon, UK

Another statue of Mandela in the Capital. Why? Since when have we erected statues of foreigners in this country? Surely it belongs in South Africa. Mandela has no importance in this country and to be honest, I don't even see his importance in South Africa. F W de Klerk ended apartheid. The act of one group voluntarily handing over power to another group is surely unprecedented in history. Surely he's the real hero.

What exactly has Mandela done to merit such deification? His country's been in decline since the ANC took power. He never criticises African dictators or their brutality. Is it because he seems to be a nice man?

eugene, Chester, England

A statue of Nelson Mandela to be placed in Parliament Square – why – what possible reason can there be for putting it here, or anywhere else in the UK. The only place this should be put is somewhere in South Africa. Ken Livingstone and his crony pc mates should be more concerned with matters pertinent to the UK in general and London in particular, than they are in a person convicted and locked up for terrorism in South Africa. What a bunch of wasters they are. How much has this cost and who is paying the bill. What relevance is Mandela to Parliament, London or the UK? And the question of whether this statue is a work of art or not is irrelevant to this argument

Lynda Plum, London, england

A statue of Nelson Mandela to be placed in Parliament Square – why – what possible reason can there be for putting it here, or anywhere else in the UK. The only place this should be put is somewhere in South Africa. Ken Livingstone and his crony pc mates should be more concerned with matters pertinent to the UK in general and London in particular, than they are in a person convicted and locked up for terrorism in South Africa. What a bunch of wasters they are. How much has this cost and who is paying the bill. What relevance is Mandela to Parliament, London or the UK? And the question of whether this statue is a work of art or not is irrelevant to this argument

Lynda Plum, London, england