Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
Refurbished granary to help position Cape Town as a capital of
peace and reconciliation
Note to editors: the following speech was delivered by Mayor De Lille at a
luncheon held by the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust to announce a R12 million
donation by the Peace Trust for the refurbishment of the Old Granary which
will house the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Centre.
We are so very excited to play our part in this exciting joint venture with one
of the Freemen of the City, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
In September last year, full Council voted in favour of leasing the Old Granary
building to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation for the
development of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Centre.
We were enthusiastic about this proposal for a number of reasons.
First, it is an honour for us to play a part in preserving and celebrating one of
the great moral icons of our time.
It is a privilege to pay homage to him for his family’s contributions towards the
peace and reconciliation our country.
The Granary is a 204-year-old building so rich in history and one of the most
significant architectural landmarks in Cape Town.
The proposed site is in a significant Cape Town heritage area.
In light of the importance of this building as a public asset, we committed to
invest R30 million towards its restoration and refurbishment.
The second reason is that we share the vision that the Foundation has for
Cape Town.
One of the objectives of the Legacy Foundation is to position Cape Town as
a world capital for the intellectual and practical pursuit of local and global
peace, morality and human dignity.
We fully support that vision and we are grateful to the Foundation for seeing
that potential in our city.
The third and final reason is that we have made it our mission to build an
inclusive city, where all residents feel a strong sense of belonging.
The Granary is a public asset which we believe should be used as a multicultural and inclusive space for the people of Cape Town, South Africa and
the rest of the world.
For the City’s part, we can report that the final lease report on the centre will
go before full Council at the end of the month for approval.
We have appointed a professional team who are working hand in hand with
the professional team from the Foundation.
We expect to announce the completion date by December.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Archbishop Emeritus Tutu for
giving the City of Cape Town the opportunity to assist in memorialising his
legacy.
We believe that centre will stand as a testimony of all that is good, and right
and that it will remind us of the responsibility we all have to safeguard our
freedom that was so hard fought for.
Thank you.
God bless.