CAPE TOWN – Work has officially started on the transformation of Lupin Street Park in Milnerton into the newly named Tutu Memorial Park, honouring the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mama Leah Tutu.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis marked the start of construction on Thursday 17 September, alongside Mama Leah Tutu and Dr Mamphela Ramphele, chairperson of the Archbishop Tutu Intellectual Property Trust.

The park, which is close to the Tutu family home, is being developed in partnership with the City of Cape Town, the Desmond Tutu Intellectual Property Trust, the Royal Ascot Master Property Owners Association and the Milnerton Central Ratepayers Association.

A new chapter for Lupin Park

The revamped park will feature an extensive children’s play area, a reflective memorial garden, an amphitheatre and public artworks celebrating the lives and legacy of Archbishop Tutu and Mama Leah.

The development will also include new parking, lighting, pathways, accessibility features, landscaping, irrigation and public amenities.

Murals, sculptures and mosaics will form part of the park and will reflect Archbishop Tutu’s contribution to society.

Hill-Lewis said the location was particularly fitting given its proximity to the Tutu family home.

“Today we turn the first sod as construction begins at Tutu Memorial Park – a place that will honour two of Cape Town’s most treasured citizens: the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mama Leah Tutu,” he said.

The mayor said Mama Leah had previously shared memories of spending quiet moments in the park with Archbishop Tutu, who enjoyed walking around the area, speaking to members of the public and picking up litter.

“As we approach the fifth anniversary of the Arch’s passing, we are so happy to present this project as one important way that Cape Town will always remember and honour him,” Hill-Lewis said.

Children at the heart of the redesign

A major focus of the project will be the children’s play area, which Hill-Lewis said reflected Archbishop Tutu’s love of children and his commitment to improving their futures.

“There is something profoundly fitting about a park where, for years to come, thousands of children will play and connect with the life of Archbishop Tutu,” he said.

The park will also provide space for residents to gather, artists to perform and visitors to reflect.

Hill-Lewis said the development should serve as a reminder of the values associated with the Tutus, including compassion, tolerance and listening to others.

Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, said construction started on Thursday and is expected to take six months.

Community input shapes park upgrade

Higham said the City had previously undertaken public consultations on the design, with input from residents helping shape the upgrade.

“The City had previously held public consultations on a design for the park, with the upgrade reflecting extensive ground-up input from the local community,” she said.

She thanked the Desmond Tutu Intellectual Property Trust, Royal Ascot Master Property Owners Association and Milnerton Central Ratepayers Association for their involvement.

The Milnerton Central Residents Association also welcomed the project, saying the community was proud that Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mama Leah had chosen Milnerton as their home for many years.

The association said the vision was to transform the former Lupin Street Park into a children-focused community space where children could play, families could connect and the Tutu legacy could continue.

With construction expected to continue for the next six months, the upgraded park is set to become a new community space for residents and visitors in the area.

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