CoCT to honour the legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu by renaming, redeveloping park

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town is planning to honour the legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu by building a park opposite his family home in Milnerton.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust chairperson, Doctor Ramphele Mamphele, and the Archbishop's wife, Leah Tutu, at the launch of the proposed park on Tuesday.

The park, which is located opposite the Tutu family home, is currently called Lupin Park, however, pending a public participation process, it could soon be in for a renaming and redevelopment.

Hill-Lewis said that if the public gave the city the go-ahead, reconstruction of the park could start midway through next year.

"We're going to make a beautiful memorial park here with a huge children's play area, an open-air amphitheater performance space and a memorial garden."

When asked to say a few words, Leah Tutu recounted a day when her helper, Nancy, cleaned the park the same way her late husband often used to.

"Nancy put me in a wheelchair stood me on the side of the road and gave me a bag because I couldn't bear to see that because I know exactly what Desmond would say with the park like that - Nancy singlehandedly cleaned this park."

The mayor said he hoped the park would be a reminder of the Tutu family values.