Cape Town City Hall clock chime heard across CBD for first time in 15 years after restoration work
After about six months of delicate work to restore the bell strike and chime functions, the clock was heard chiming again on Thursday after being out of commission for 15 years.
The Cape Town City Hall clock. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The chiming of the Cape Town City Hall clock could be heard echoing through the CBD for the first time in 15 years on Thursday.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis joined Mayco member for economic growth, James Vos, for the relaunch of the restored clock.
After about six months of delicate work to restore the bell strike and chime functions, the clock was heard chiming again on Thursday after being out of commission for 15 years.
The clock was first installed in 1905, and its familiar chiming had been a known feature in the CBD, which echoed through the city centre until wear and tear caused it to cease.
But recent expert work has preserved what the mayor has deemed "architectural heritage", saying it's vital that the time-keeping device remains functional for future generations.
Speaking to the mayor just after the clock struck twelve o'clock, he described the event as an "emotional occasion".
"I'm standing here with goosebumps still just hearing that 12 o'clock chime for the first time in many many years. It's not just about fixing the clock and the beautiful chimes, it's about what it represents for Cape Town, that we take pride in what we have and we take pride in our city."
Hill-Lewis said it was important to care of the things in the city that had been left by previous generations and make sure they are still available for future generations.
City of Cape Town project manager, Marius Schoeman, detailed how the bell strike and chime functions of the clock were restored.
"While we decided to repair that aspect, we decided to rather do a full restoration and that entailed a full disassembly of the whole mechanism."
Schoeman said the team then identified areas that needed attention.
"And then also restoring the chiming mechanism and putting some maintenance systems in place to ensure the integrity of the mechanism going forward."
Schoeman said that the maintenance of the clock would ensure it keeps chiming for generations to come.