Cape Town -
A Durbanville resident feels so strongly about the importance of preserving the City of Cape Town’s old logo, that he has submitted a formal offer to buy the iconic image for R1.
George Sieraha, who heads the Durbanville Community Forum, submitted his offer to mayor Patricia de Lille and Premier Helen Zille this week.
“As the city has no further use for it, I would like to preserve it.”
In his motivation he said: “As we all know, the city has decided to replace the current Cape Town logo with a different one. So in effect the old logo has become redundant without any value.
“I am sure all of us recognise the saying ‘one man’s meat is another’s man’s poison’, so I hereby make an official offer of R1.00 (one rand) to buy the logo. This will include the structure, colour, design and concept and whatever defines the logo inclusive of any rights associated with it.”
De Lille’s office has responded by thanking Sieraha for his e-mail. A generic explanation of the decision to change the logo is also included in the response.
“We can’t expect a new logo to be universally liked or to feel meaningful until the promise it represents is delivered.
“The question is whether you support a city that wants to build a reputation for progress, working in partnership towards shared responsibility, a city that provides opportunities, an inclusive city.
“If you do, then the conversation about shapes and colours becomes irrelevant as it is purely the visual expression of our strategic intent.”
The logo was controversially approved at last month’s council meeting, after the Cape Argus leaked a version of the logo.
Opposition parties objected to the lack of public participation in deciding on the city’s new corporate identity and pay-off line. The city’s explanation points to the fact that Table Mountain is well-represented in the patterned rings of the new logo.
“Instead of just one mountain image - it repeats itself in patterned coloured rings. Maybe you can see a Protea, the cogs of local industry, the cluster of a road bike riding the Argus (Pick n Pay Momentum) Cycle Tour or the spirit of our world-famous world heritage site being reflected repeatedly in each of us?”
Sieraha has asked the city to instruct its attorneys to contact him about the sale. And his plans for the old logo?
“Well, all I can say is that will be used in conjunction with the community, and the promotion of our city in some form or another. I have not really thought it through yet but what I do know is that the powers that be discarded the beautiful old logo. Quite frankly, they don’t deserve it.”
Though the ANC has threatened legal action, the city said on Monday it had not been served with court papers for an application to set aside the new logo.
Cape Argus