A park often frequented by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, located on the doorstep of his family home, is set to receive a make-over.

The City of Cape Town, in collaboration with the Archbishop Tutu Intellectual Property Trust, yesterday announced the proposed renaming and upgrade of Lupin Park in Milnerton.

The Arch’s beloved wife, Leah Tutu, was in attendance as the guest of honour, during the announcement event, led by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross, and the Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust, Dr Mamphela Ramphele.

The Arch is known to have visited Lupin Park often, as it is very close to his home.

Lupin Park gets a make-over

Among the proposed upgrade plans are an extensive children’s play area to reflect the late Arch’s love of and work with children throughout his life, a reflective memorial garden, commemorative artwork, outdoor performance spaces, and a dog park.

Local art initiatives will be incorporated into the park’s design, including a public art competition and construction phases.

A proposal will further be put to the public regarding the renaming of the park in honour of Archbishop Tutu’s legacy.

A symbol of Tutu’s values

Addressing Mama Leah Tutu during his remarks, Mayor Hill-Lewis said he hoped that the upgraded park would become a symbol to remind Capetonians of the values that she and her husband have always lived by.

‘Mama Leah Tutu and the Arch lived across the road from this park for many years, and Mama Leah still does. I am told they loved to spend some quiet moments here. In developing and renaming this park, we aim to not only create a beautiful and vibrant space for the Milnerton community and visitors to the area, but also to remember and promote the beautiful values by which the Tutus have lived their lives: kindness, tolerance and justice.’

Residents have been invited to take part in the public participation process.

The Lupin Park project was initiated through engagements between the City, the Royal Ascot Master Property Owners Association, the Milnerton Central Ratepayers Association and the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust.

A concept ”master” plan for the park will be presented at a public meeting scheduled for 1 October at the Milnerton Auditorium.

Interested parties have been encouraged to attend to provide feedback and ask questions.

The Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, says it is heartening to note that this project was  initiated by the people of Milnerton through the ratepayers’ organisation.

‘It is an authentic local tribute of love and respect for the Tutu family from the community they have been part of for nearly 30 years. The only condition the Trust imposed on the project was that it be thrifty; the Arch would not have wanted the City to incur a great expense. We are very grateful to Mayor Hill-Lewis for his enthusiastic leadership of the project.’

Earlier this year, the historic old Granary Building in the Cape Town CBD was renamed to the Desmond and Leah Tutu House in honour of this space being the headquarters of the Tutu Foundation for many years.

Other previous honours include the emblazoning of Archbishop Tutu’s face, alongside that of President Nelson Mandela, on the Civic Centre as a permanent feature of the CBD skyline.

In 1998, the Archbishop was awarded the Freedom of the City, the highest possible civic honour.