Heritage status for Cape Town building
2013-02-14 08:58
Cape Town - The Cape Town City Hall has been declared a Provincial Heritage Site.
Cape Argus reports that the building was declared a heritage site by Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Dr Ivan Meyer and Heritage Western Cape chairperson Ronee Robinson.
The unveiling of a commemorative plaque came ahead of a function in the City Hall where Meyer presented the Western Cape Arts, Culture, Heritage, Museum, Geographical Names, Libraries and Archives Awards.
In his speech, Meyer pointed out that Mandela had stood on the hall's balcony to deliver his first public address after 27 years in prison on February 11, 1990.
"His speech marked the beginning of the politics of reconciliation in South Africa," he said.
The City Hall had borne witness to numerous events that were testimony to the idea of a South African identity, Meyer said, and the decision to declare it as a provincial heritage site "made perfect sense".
