Mandela statue unveiled in Pretoria by President Jacob Zuma.

On a public holiday dedicated to reconciliation, South Africans have started to come to terms with the loss of Anti-Apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela, unveiling a giant statue to honour his struggle for equality and democracy.

A day after the late former president was buried with full honours in his boyhood village, a nine-metre bronze likeness was unveiled on Monday on the lawns of the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria.