Cape Town: City and Archbishop Tutu IP Trust announced and proposed the upgraded and renaming of Lupin Park in Milnerton to honour Desmond Tutu’s legacy. The plan included children’s play area, memorial garden and more.
Reportedly, the announcement was led by Mayor Geordin-Hill Lewis, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Patricia Van der Ross, Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust – Dr Mamphela Ramphele, along with Mama Leah Tutu as a guest of honour.
Lupin Park was frequented by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and is located on the doorstep of his family residence. The proposed upgraded plans consider extensive children’s play area to reflect the late Arch’s love of and work with children throughout his life. It is a reflective memorial garden that commemorates the artwork, outdoor performance spaces and a dog park.
Local art initiatives will be incorporated into the park’s design that includes a public art competition and construction phases.
Furthermore, the proposal will be put to the public regarding the renaming of the park in honour of Archbishop Tutu’s legacy, with the upgraded aim to enhance the public space and create a lasting tribute to his invaluable contributions towards the City of Cape Town, South Africa and most importantly towards the World.
Mayor Hill-Lewis addressed the Mama Leah Tutu and said that he hopes that the upgraded park would become a symbol to remind the Capetonians about the values that she and her husband have always lived by.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that Mama Leah Tutu and the Arch lived across the road from park for many years and Mama Leah still does. He said, “I am told that they loved to spend some quiet moments here.”
“In developing and renaming the park, as they aim to not only create a beautiful and vibrant space for the Milnerton community, but also for the visitors to the area, to remember and promote the beautiful valuables by which the Tutus have lived their lives with kindness, tolerance and justice,” said Lewis. He added that they invited all the residents to take part in the public participation process to ensure the continuous community involvement in the development of the park.
As per the sources, the Lupin Park project was initiated through the engagements between the City of Cape Town, the Royal Ascot Master Property Owners Association, the Milnerton Central Ratepayers Association and also the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust.
These organisations proposed the development of a memorial garden in Lupin Park which is dedicated to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Park has been the focus of efforts by the Recreation and Parks Department of the City to preserve its natural and cultural heritage, with the city appointing the consultants to create a proposed master plan for the park.
The concept of the plan will be presented at a public meeting scheduled for October 01, 2024 at the Milnerton Auditorium. All interested parties are encouraged to attend to provide the feedback and ask questions.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Service and Health – Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said that the official announcement marks a significant step forward in the development of the park.
Lupin Park is a recreational area where the residents can enjoy the outdoors, but a space where they can honour the past and build a future together. The proposed upgrades will ensure the legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu that continues to inspire the community and the City of Cape Town for generations to come.
Chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust – Dr. Mamphela Ramphele said that the most wonderful thing about the project is that it was initiated by the people of Milnerton, through their ratepayer’s organisation. It is an authentic local tribute of love ad respect for the Tutu family from the community, that have been part of, for nearly 30 years.
The only condition the Trust imposed over the project was that it will be thrifty and the Arch would not have wanted the city to incur a great expense as they are very grateful to Mayor Hill-Lewis for his enthusiastic leadership skills, he showed during the project.