Cape Town - The more than 200-year-old Old Granary building is set to get a R30 million facelift.
This was announced by mayor Patricia de Lille at a luncheon held by the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust, which will be donating R12m towards the refurbishment.
It will then be the home of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Centre.
“In September last year, full council voted in favour of leasing the Old Granary building to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation for the development of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Centre. It is a privilege to pay homage to him for his family’s contributions towards the peace and reconciliation our country,” said De Lille.
The building is rich in history and one of the most significant architectural landmarks in Cape Town.
“In light of the importance of this building as a public asset, we committed to invest R30m towards its restoration and refurbishment. The Granary is a public asset which we believe should be used as a multicultural and inclusive space for the people of Cape Town, South Africa and the rest of the world.”
De Lille said the city shared the vision that the foundation had for Cape Town.
“One of the objectives of the Legacy Foundation is to position Cape Town as a world capital for the intellectual and practical pursuit of local and global peace, morality and human dignity. We fully support that vision and we are grateful to the Foundation for seeing that potential in our city.”
The final lease report on the centre will go before the council at the end of the month for approval. The project is expected to be completed by December.
Cape Argus