To commemorate this year’s Day of Reconciliation on 16 December, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government will honour the lives and work of beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Leah Tutu.
“The peace-spreading mother and father and great moral leaders have been instrumental in promoting peace, reconciliation and equality in our country.
They have campaigned tirelessly and have been the voices of the voiceless on challenges confronting not only our society, but the world.
In October the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, announced the City of Cape Town’s plans to honour the Arch and Mama Leah for their enormous contribution to our country in the fight for freedom and the building of a reconciled and democratic country.
Our key tribute to them will be on the Day of Reconciliation, 16 December 2015, with a PURPLE March for Mama Leah and the Arch.
The march will convene at the Prestwich Memorial on the corner of Buitengracht Street and Somerset Road in Green Point at 10:30 and will proceed down the fan walk at 11:00.
The march will be led by Mayor De Lille; Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais; Reverend Mpho Tutu; and various interfaith leaders.
The Arch and Mama Leah will welcome the crowd at the end of the march at the Cape Town Stadium forecourt.
This will be followed by a short interfaith service and a free concert by the Soweto String Quartet, Jimmy Dludlu, and Alistair Izobell and Friends.
The Purple march is for People, Unity, Reconciliation, Peace, Love and Equality.
We will pray for our city, our country and for the world.
The City wants to create a wave of purple to show our solidarity in continuing the work of reconciliation so we encourage residents to come out wearing purple.
We are also calling on all participants to make posters and banners in line with the PURPLE theme and to show their appreciation for the Arch and Mama Leah and their commitment to continue the work of reconciliation.
For those who aren’t able to make their own posters, the City will also have a craft area at the start of the fan walk where materials will be provided for people to make posters.
The Cape Town Stadium forecourt area will have stalls where local businesses will sell food. Families will be able to set up picnic spots on the grass area.”
Media Office, City of Cape Town
Road closures
The following road closures will be in effect on 16 December 2015: Somerset Road and Main Road in Green Point from Buitengracht Street to York Road for limited periods between 10:45 and 12:30.
Motorists are urged to use alternative routes along High Level Road or Helen Suzman Boulevard.
