19 December 2005 The four Nobel Peace Prize Laureate sculptures: by Claudette Schreuders 19 December 2005 NOBEL SQUARE FACT SHEET 19 December 2005 Peace and Democracy: a sculpture by Noria Mabasa 19 December 2005 Laureate Information 19 December 2005 The Process Followed in Appointing the Nobel Square Artists

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The Nobel Prize, named after its Swedish-born founder, Alfred Nobel, is awarded for excellence in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Peace.

Throughout his life, Alfred Nobel held the promotion of peace in very high regard. In his final will and testament, he requested his fortune be used to honour those who had excelled in their chosen fields and made a substantial contribution to the world. Thus the idea of the Nobel Prize was born.

In June 1900, the Nobel Foundation was established to ensure that the late Nobel’s assets were seen to and appropriately distributed. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been awarded annually to men and women who have made profound contributions to their chosen field.

With this in mind, it is fitting that on the eve of South Africa’s 10 years of democracy and peaceful coexistence, tribute is paid to the four South African Nobel Peace laureates. In celebration of their great achievements, there will be an honorary naming of Nobel Square situated within the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions.

Taking a closer look at the four laureates, the part they played in the road to democracy was long and the struggle filled with hardship and tragedy, yet these remarkable men held fast to their belief that there was a peaceful way forward.

The first South African to receive this prestigious accolade for his efforts in striving towards peace was the late Nkosi Albert Luthuli. In 1960, Chief Luthuli, former President of the South African liberation movement, the African National Congress (ANC), was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his accomplishments.

In 1984, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, former Bishop of Johannesburg and former Secretary General South African Council of Churches (SACC), was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his determined work against apartheid.

In 1993, the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to then-President of the Republic of South Africa, Frederik Willem de Klerk and former leader of the ANC, Nelson Mandela, for their efforts that resulted in the eradication of Apartheid and the promotion of peace in the country.

As South Africans, we are proud that we share the same soil and spirit with these great men. They have distinguished themselves in their dedication and have been justly honoured. To our Nobel Peace Prize laureates, we salute you.

Some interesting facts:

- In 1866 Alfred Nobel invented dynamite

- Alfred Nobel had well-over 350 patents to his name

- By the age of 17, Alfred Nobel was fluent in 5 languages – Swedish, Russian, French, English and German

- South Africa has 3 other Nobel laureates: Max Thieler – 1951 (Medicine), Nadine Gordimer – 1991(Literature) and John Maxwell Coetzee – 2003 (Literature).

Information retrieved 28 November 2003 from http://www.nobel.se/

Information retrieved 28/11/2003 from http://english.eastday.com/