The City of Cape Town said this week that its Arts and Culture Development Branch, which is responsible for 140 public memorials across the city, had undertaken several restoration projects at heritage sites across the metro.

Over the past year, 23 missing or damaged plaques were also replaced by the branch, it said.

At the Parow Civic Centre’s Memorial to Security Forces along Tallent Street as well as the Observatory’s War Memorial, electrical repairs were undertaken by the Arts and Culture Development Branch, while bigger restoration work was carried out in Langa, the central business district (CBD) and Durbanville.

These restoration projects include the Langa Memorial on Washington Circle, which honours the victims of the 1960 anti-pass law protests at a cost of R608 039; Colonial Mutual Clock Tower Memorial in Adderley Street which serves as both a memorial and a landmark at a cost of R492 430; The Knot Sculpture by Eduardo Villa installed in 1981 outside the Cape Town Civic Centre, at a cost of R305 674; and the Pampoenkraal Oxen in Durbanville, a group of 14 brightly coloured oxen sculptures installed within the Pampoenkraal Heritage Square to celebrate Durbanville’s agricultural heritage, at a cost of R420 037.

In addition to the electrical repairs, and restoration work, 23 missing and damaged plaques across the city were also replaced, the City said.

“Our memorials tell the story of Cape Town and the people and communities who have shaped the city. When they are damaged by weather, age, or vandalism, we risk losing important pieces of our shared history. That is why preserving and restoring these spaces matters,” said Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health.

She added: “These are community assets and an important part of our collective heritage. I encourage residents to help us protect them by reporting any vandalism or damage. Together, we can keep these reflective spaces safe, dignified and accessible, so that future generations can continue to learn from and pay respect to those who came before us.”

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