City of Cape Town celebrated the National Arbor Week and Heritage Month, joined by the Mandela family and featured the unveiling of commemorative tree, mosaic bench and plaque, in honour of former President Nelson Mandela on the Grand Parade.
Reportedly, Mandela family joined the city Cape Town to usher in Arbor Week and Heritage Month, this Friday, August 30, 2024. The City of Cape Town’s Strategic Assets and Environmental Management Departments kicked off its National Arbor Week and Heritage Month celebrations.
Additionally, the newly installed bastion signage of the Old Fort was unveiled on the Parade in connection with a preview of the Grand Parade Exhibition, that remained open for the public on September 03, 2024.
Deputy Mayor of Cape Town and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that the Water berry tree, which was planted by the City of Cape Town of Friday, replaced the original Ficus tree planted by the family of Nelson Mandela, who gave them the support and endorsement for the Mandela Tree, Bench and Plaque.
According to Andrews, the new mosaic bench was installed a few metres from the tree, which was designed in collaboration with the Presidential Shirt Designer – Desre Buirski, who provided the artwork for the mosaic using a Mandela Shirt Pattern.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation provided the endorsement of the tree, bench and plaque. Staff from the Strategic Assets and Environmental Management Departments of the City of Cape Town collaborated on the multi-faceted initiative.
Chairman of the Mandela Legacy Foundation and the Grandson of Nelson Mandela – Zondwa Mandela said that the occasions demonstrate the power of collaboration.
As per Zondwa, it was beautiful to see various organisations coming and connecting together to tell a South African story to sustain it for today and to sustain it for coming era. He presented his gratitude and said, “We thank you for the opportunity and to participate.”
In attendance, it welcomed the members of Mandela family which consisted of Zondwa’s wife – Lindo Mandela and their two daughters – Zazi Mandela and Zikalizikantu Mandela.
Zazi Mandela then handed over the copies of her children’s book, titled ‘Grandad Mandela’ to the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth – Alderman James Vos.
Considering this, Alderman Vos said that it gives him pride to play a part in leading the Strategic Assets Department in managing the upkeep of these venues that are of great historical and economic value.
“These spaces, like so many in Cape Town, are etched with the legacies of heroes and activists who moved us forward to the free South Africa, that we enjoy today,” added James Vos, wearing a grey Mandela shirt matching the patterns of the mosaic bench.
As per the sources, the Grand Parade Exhibition is the second temporary exhibition, which needs to be displayed as part of the Nelson Mandela in Cape Town – Legacy Exhibition, that re-opens to the public on Tuesday, September 03, 2024.
The Mandela Exhibition documents the long walk to freedom by Mandela, while the new Grand Parade Exhibition traces the historic development of the Parade in much more detail, from its early fortification to the people-oriented event and trading space. Access to the exhibitions is completely free of charge.
The public is encouraged to also walk around the Grand Parade, sit on the new bench, see the trees and experience the upgraded parade pave, that includes the footprint of the original clay and wood fortification, the Fort de Goede Hoop, in the layout.