Residents passing through the CBD are familiar with the iconic mural of former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu which can be seen on the windows of the Cape Town Civic Centre’s Tower Block.
The decayed murals are getting an upgrade says Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, who joined contractors this week in removing the old decals with new versions of the beloved murals are set to go up.
“These iconic artworks invite us to enact the values of these two great South Africans while going about our daily lives by building and maintaining a free, fair, prosperous, and non-racial city and country. I hope the murals will inspire Capetonians to commit and re-commit ourselves to these values,” said Hill-Lewis in a statement.
The project is anticipated to be completed in about a month, weather permitting.
“The restored twelve-floor-high window murals will see the two figures — both of whom are recipients of Cape Town’s highest civic honour, the Freedom of the City — once again greet motorists as they make their way into the city.”
The City indicated it would keep the existing artwork of the murals which will help to preserve the iconic images and save on costs.
Even more unique are the city’s most iconic spots being featured on Madiba’s shirt, including Bo Kaap, penguins at Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, a minstrel at the Kaapse Klopse, and the King Protea.
“Archbishop Tutu’s shirt contains imagery invoking the anti-apartheid struggle as well as the core political values of non-racialism, freedom, togetherness, and peace.”
The concept was illustrated by Cape Flats-born artist Linsey Levendall.
The restoration of the Civic Centre’s decals is just one aspect of the City’s ongoing efforts to renew the city.
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Picture: The City of Cape Town
