Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has this week marked the start of work on the newly renamed Tutu Memorial Park (formerly Lupin Park). This is in honour of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mama Leah Tutu. The Mayor was joined by guest of honour Mama Leah Tutu and Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu Intellectual Property Trust. The trust is collaborating on the park with the City and local ratepayer associations for Royal Ascot and Milnerton Central.
The mayor added, “This park is on the doorstep of the Tutu family home, and Mama Leah has told us of quiet moments spent here with the Arch, who loved to walk around chatting with the public and also picking up litter.”
The Tutu Memorial Park project gets underway in Cape Town
This beautiful memorial park will include an extensive children’s play area to reflect the late Arch’s love of children, a reflective memorial garden, amphitheatre, public artworks, and more. The project will also provide parking, lighting, pathways, accessibility, landscaping, irrigation, and public amenities. Murals, sculptures, and mosaics will reflect the life and legacy of Archbishop Tutu.
“We turn the first sod as construction begins at Tutu Memorial Park – a place that will honour two of Cape Town’s most treasured citizens: the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mama Leah Tutu,” said the mayor.
Mayor marks the start of the Tutu Memorial Park project
The mayor said that there is something profoundly fitting about a park where, for years to come, thousands of children will play and connect with the life of Archbishop Tutu. Hill-Lewis said his joyfulness, his love and care for children, his work to make their futures better – all of those themes come together in this beautiful park. He added that this will also be a place for neighbours to meet, artists to perform, and people simply to pause and reflect.
“As we approach the fifth anniversary of the Arch’s passing, we are so happy to present this project as one important way that Cape Town will always remember and honour him. Also, how we continue to honour someone who is like a mother to our city, Mama Leah,” added the mayor.
Construction to last 6 months
The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said project work commenced on 17 September, with an expected construction period of six months.
Higham added, “The City had previously held public consultations on a design for the park, with the upgrade reflecting extensive ground-up input from the local community.”
She added, “We thank the Desmond Tutu IP Trust, the Royal Ascot Master Property Owners Association, and Milnerton Central Ratepayers Association for their commitment and partnership in getting this project to this point. The project will ensure that the legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu continues to inspire the community and city for generations to come.”
“May it be a reminder that we all have a role to play in building the kind of city and society the Tutus spent their lives working towards, one that is more compassionate, more tolerant, and more willing to listen to one another,” elaborated Hill-Lewis.
