2011-07-18

Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon donates his Non-Violence sculpture to Nelson Mandela.

Gianluigi Buffon – a Global Non-Violence Ambassador.

Italian international and Juventus goalkeeper Luigi Buffon donates the non-violence sculpture he personally designed to former South African President Nelson Mandela, in recognition of his lifelong work to bring about peace and no-violence in South Africa and the world. Gianluigi Buffon is a Global Non-Violence Ambassador. Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Buffon’s statue was handed over to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa by Bafana Nzimandi and several Soweto youth involved in the Futbol for Peace program throughout the 2010 World Cup. 

Mandela at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Mandela served as a great inspiration to Buffon throughout his life and career. Buffon said "intensely proud that a symbol that I designed and which represents sporting goals and achievements overcoming violence across the world is being presented to such a global symbol of peace as Nelson Mandela. I hope that my statue will continue to inspire young people to choose sport rather than violence as their life-path."

The Non- Violence replica was designed by Buffon as part of Futbol for Peace an initiative by the Non-Violence Project Foundation. Futbol for Peace was launched at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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