Cape Town Residents Invited to Participate in Renaming Historic Building

The City of Cape Town’s Public Participation Unit has officially launched the commenting process for the proposal to rename the historic Old Granary building to ‘Desmond and Leah Tutu House.’ The Naming Committee endorsed the initiative during a meeting on 28 August 2023, and City Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis subsequently approved the commencement of the participation process. Built between 1808 and 1813, the Old Granary building, located at 11 Buitenkant Street in Zonnebloem, has served various purposes throughout its 200-year history.

Public Participation Importance

Alderman Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Naming Committee, emphasizes the significance of public involvement, urging individuals to attend the launch event or submit their comments through alternative avenues. The commenting process runs from 16 to 30 September 2023, inviting residents to share their thoughts and contribute valuable input regarding the proposal.

Submitting Comments

For those unable to attend the launch, the City provides several options for residents to submit their comments, including email, the City’s official website, or by hand at all Subcouncil offices and City libraries. The deadline for comment submissions is 30 September 2023.

Honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Wife Leah Tutu

The proposal to rename the Old Granary building emerged from the City’s Economic Growth Directorate to honor and memorialize the life and work of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah Tutu. Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, explains that the renaming aims to continue the legacy of Desmond and Leah Tutu, who have made remarkable contributions to Cape Town’s and South Africa’s political, socio-cultural identity and have become global icons for virtue and strength of character.

Preserving South African Legacy

In 2015, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation co-funded the building’s refurbishment, transforming the space into a peace center, archive center, museum, and City of Cape Town office space. The renaming endeavor demonstrates the City’s commitment to recognizing and preserving the legacy of prominent South African figures like Desmond and Leah Tutu, who have significantly impacted the nation’s history and culture. By inviting citizens to participate in the process, the City ensures that the voices of residents are heard and their values respected in shaping the city’s cultural landscape.