Restoration plans for Archbishop Desmond Tutu monument

THE City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department is going through a formal process to accept ownership of "The Arch for Archbishop Desmond Tutu" monument following complaints over damage that was not being repaired. 

The public artwork - a woven wooden structure - is situated at the entrance of the Company's Gardens, between the Parliament and St. George's Cathedral buildings. 

According to resident Pam Saxby, for some time, several of the Arch’s brass plaques depicting the Bill of Rights had been missing. 

She said they had already been replaced once but this was several years ago when missing nuts and bolts securing the structure itself were also replaced.

Saxby said she felt passionate about the issue because she used to work with the Archbishop when he was bishop of Johannesburg and during the national peace process. 

“It’s very sad to see something like this happening to a monument to the man. I kept walking past, thinking one day something’s going to be done about this and it just wasn’t. The first time I complained was about two years after it had been established and something was done, then it was vandalised again,” she said. 

The “Arch for the Arch” was commissioned by the Design Indaba and designed by Snøhetta and Johannesburg-based Local Studio. It was sponsored by Liberty. 

According to the Design Indaba, because Archbishop Tutu played a big part in the dawn of democracy, the idea behind the project was to honour his legacy and drive home the importance of protecting democracy. 

The art installation was created in 2017. It is made from 14 arching strands of wood, each bearing a quote from one of the 14 lines in the Constitution’s preamble. The structure forms a dome signifying the founding principles on which the country is built.

Approached for comment on who was responsible for the maintenance of the monument, Liberty and the Design Indaba in a joint response said they would assess the level of refurbishment needed with the intention to restore it.

“In 2017 Design Indaba commissioned the build of the Arch for Arch monument and was sponsored by Liberty as a tribute to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, honouring his legacy as a human rights activist and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Over the years, Design Indaba have ensured that the basic upkeep of the monument is maintained. However, we note the complaint received from a member of the public and Liberty, together with Design Indaba, will assess the level of refurbishment required, with the intention to restore the monument to its former state.” 

They added that the restoration would happen while conversations with the City are underway about the future custodianship of the monument. 

“Liberty will support Design Indaba in their efforts to get the monument restored, in line with requisite approvals by the City of Cape Town, and in full compliance with bylaws.”

The City confirmed they were going through a process of accepting ownership of the artwork. 

“The artwork does not currently belong to the City of Cape Town and so we are not able to undertake any repairs. We are currently going through the formal donations process in order for the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department to accept ownership of the artwork. If successful, we will then be able to undertake any repairs necessary including replacing the missing plaques.”

Cape Times