International travellers passing through Cape Town International Airport will soon be greeted by a giant tapestry in memory of global human rights defender Nelson Mandela, Amnesty International announced today.

The organisation, through its Art for Amnesty project, has commissioned acclaimed artist, Peter Sis, to design the giant memorial tapestry honouring Madiba, for unveiling on 10 December 2015, International Human Rights day.

Measuring over 6 x 3 metres, and woven by Atelier Pinton in Aubusson, France, ‘Flying Madiba’, as it is called, will be displayed in the 'meeters and greeters' area of the international arrivals hall of Cape Town International Airport.

The Mandela tapestry project is a partnership between Art for Amnesty and the Cape Town International Airport and is endorsed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The project has been generously backed and funded by Bono & Edge of U2, John Legend, Peter Gabriel, Sting & Yoko Ono.

“Madiba’ was and still is an inspiration to us all. His example teaches us that we all need to take injustice personally.”

Nelson Mandela received Amnesty International's most prestigious award, the 'Ambassador of Conscience' Award, in 2006.