The City of Cape Town plans to honour the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, fondly known as “The Arch”, by renaming and developing the park situated opposite his family home in Milnerton.

After nearly four years of his passing, his widow, Mama Leah Tutu still resides there and says she still visits the Lupin Park, with her helper, Nancy.

Speaking at a small ceremony held at the park last Tuesday, September 17, Mama Leah recalled that her husband used to clean the park when it started looking untidy and she continued picking up the litter, despite being in a wheelchair.

“Nancy put me in a wheelchair, placed me on the side of the road with a bag, and we would collect the dirt, because I know exactly what Desmond would have said with the park looking like that,” she said.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the park is set to undergo redevelopment and renaming, pending a public participation process.

Should all go well, and the public supports the initiative, reconstruction of the park could begin by the middle of next year and the proposed name of the park would be Tutu Memorial Park.

He added that the idea to do upgrades and rename the park was initiated through engagements with the City; the Royal Ascot Master Property Owner’ Association, the Milnerton Central Ratepayers’ Association (MCRA) and the Archbishop Tutu Intellectual Property Trust.

Mr Hill-Lewis said the plans are to create an extensive children’s play area to reflect The Arch’s love of and work with children, a reflective memorial garden, commemorative artwork, outdoor performance spaces, and a dog park.

“Local art initiatives will be incorporated into the park's design, including a public art competition and construction phases,” he added.

Furthermore, a proposal will be put to the public about the renaming of the park, he said.

“In developing and renaming this park, we aim to not only create a beautiful and vibrant space for the Milnerton community and visitors to the area, but also to remember and promote the beautiful values by which the Tutus have lived their lives: kindness, tolerance and justice.

“We invite all residents to take part in the public participation process to ensure continued community involvement in the park’s development,” said Mr Hill-Lewis.

Welcoming the project, chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu IP Trust, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, spoke of the “delicious irony” of a suburb, named after colonial governor Lord Milner, who believed in the superiority of the British race, opening its heart to Archbishop Tutu, who fought against racial superiority and injustice all his life.

“It is an authentic local tribute of love and respect for the Tutu family from the community they have been part of for nearly 30 years. The only condition the Trust imposed on the project was that it be thrifty. The Arch would not have wanted the City to incur a great expense,” Dr Ramphele said.

MCRA chairperson, Bouwe van der Eems, said this project will revitalise Lupin Park into a beautiful community recreational space celebrating the life and legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was a beloved resident of Lupin Crescent, Milnerton, for many years.

In February 2023, the MCRA approached the Tutu family and mayor’s office with a project proposal to enhance and beautify Lupin Park, spearheaded and designed by MCRA’s Charl van der Merwe. The plan featured flower gardens, outdoor artwork, a children’s play area, a dog park, and a small amphitheatre, all inspired by the archbishop’s life and legacy, said Mr Van der Eems.

He added that MCRA remains dedicated to this project, which will not only be a significant asset to the community but also serve as a lasting tribute to one of South Africa’s most iconic leaders and a cherished resident of Milnerton.

Ward 4 Anthony Benadie welcomed the upgrades and the renaming of the park, and encouraged residents to get involved in the public participation process thereof.

“The project is aimed at honouring and celebrating the legacy of the late archbishop. The park will feature a variety of amenities to benefit community members. The project will also serve to attract performers, tourists and local residents to experience the life of Desmond Tutu,” he said.

From left are Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Mama Leah Tutu.

Caroline Marx of advocacy group, Rethink the Stink, who is a Milnerton resident, also spoke at the event.

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‘The Arch’s favourite park to be renamed and upgraded