Looking back: Would Nelson Mandela have wanted Cecil Rhodes statue to fall?

He is one of a small number of people to have been awarded the Freedom of the City by Oxford City Council. 

Nelson Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and died in 2013.

He had served 27 years in captivity for anti-apartheid activities before he was released from jail in 1990.

In 2003, Mr Mandela attended a gala night to mark the centenary of the Rhodes Trust and the establishment of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

In June, Oxford University vice-chancellor Prof Louise Richardson claimed Mr Mandela would not have wanted colonialist Cecil Rhodes' statue to be taken down.

She spoke out shortly after thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered outside Oxford University's Oriel College with the simple message 'Rhodes Must Fall'.

Nelson Mandela with Bill Clinton

She told the Daily Telegraph: "I think [Mr Mandela] was a man of deep nuance who recognised complex problems for what they were. And I don't think he sought simplistic solutions to complex problems."

Mr Mandela joined forces in 2003 with the Rhodes Trust - the charity set up by Cecil Rhodes' widow to fund educational scholarships - to form the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to help build a 'better future' for disadvantaged Africans.

Oriel College has voted in favour of removing its statue of the Victorian imperialist and will set up an independent inquiry into the key issues around it following a student-led campaign that began four years ago.

We’re really excited to launch We Grew Up in Oxford, a new online community for everyone who loves our great city. In our new Facebook group, we’ll be delving into the archives - both recent and older - to bring you memories of what it was like growing up and living here through the years.

We hope you’ll join us and get involved in the project, and remember to let us know what memories from your glory days you want to see in the group. We Grew Up in Oxford, so now it’s time to celebrate that. See you there!