Plans are afoot to rename the Old Granary building the “Desmond and Leah Tutu House", to honour and memorialise the life and work of the late archbishop and his wife.
The City of Cape Town’s Naming Committee on Monday recommended the renaming to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. If Hill-Lewis has accepts the committee’s recommendation, the Public Participation Unit (PPU) will start with the participation process.
“We will let the public know once the proposal is open for comment, and how and where to participate. I want to encourage residents in advance to make use of this opportunity to be involved in this very important process,” said deputy mayor and chairperson of the Naming Committee, Eddie Andrews.
The Old Granary building, situated at 11 Buitenkant Street in Zonnebloem, was originally constructed between 1808 and 1813.
Over the past 200 years it has been used as a bakery, granary, jail for women, customs house, court and police office, and Public Works offices.
In 2015, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation co-funded the refurbishment to allow the foundation to use the space as a peace centre, archive centre, and a museum, and City of Cape Town office space.
“The suggested name change for this building is fitting given how the foundation utilises the heritage site in educating visitors and promoting the values of leadership and peace,” said Economic Growth mayco member James Vos.
Cape Times