The proposed Nelson Mandela Tower of Light concept encompasses a 27-storey building constructed predominantly of glass, with each floor representing a year of former South African President and struggle icon Nelson Mandela’s prison sentence at Robben Island. These 27-storeys are divided into three phases representing different aspects of his struggle.
The Tower of Light is a proposed iconic landmark along the lines of the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and the like that will create an international focal point on Nelson Mandela Bay in order to make our City a ‘must visit’ tourist destination.
The indicative layout proposed for the Tower of Light Precinct, suggests that the total capital cost of the development, should all structures be built simultaneously, would be just over R2 Billion. This cost will be partially borne by a public-private partnership in the form of the Tower of Light Pty. Ltd., who in conjunction with the NMBM will be responsible for environmental upgrades and security in and around the proposed precinct.
From an operational perspective, the Tower of Light Pty. Ltd. is projected to generate an operating loss of between R1.1 million and R3.73 million over the first three years, improving to an operating profit of R3.3 million in the fourth year and to R9.5 million in the fifth year. After allowing for depreciation and taxation, the loss for the year is projected to average R24.1 million over the first four years, improving to a loss of only R4.2 million in the fifth year. Long-term projections suggest that the Tower of Light Pty. Ltd. will be able to generate a positive annual profit after tax and depreciation in Year 7.
The Mandela Bay Development Agency in conjunction with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism are seeking public input into this concept and proposed iconic landmark.
This participation can be done online here: https://www.mbdaengage.co.za/tower-of-light-survey/
BEFORE you fill in the survey please read the Business Plan here: https://www.mbdaengage.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Tower-of-Light-Business-Plan_November-2020.pdf
And, for your interest, below are my answers to some of the survey questions:
3.) Do you agree that this is an appropriate site for the Tower of Light? *
No – This iconic project is a way to unite ‘township’ and ‘suburb’ and should be sited on a site straddling both areas AND with easy access.
5.) What complimentary activities would you like to see? *
Depending on the site – access to other Heritage Sites, access to Tourism Products, Showcasing of an African Experience
7.) I support / do not support the idea of developing the Tower of Light. *
Support
8.) Why should St George’s Park not be the preferred site for the Tower of Light? *
1. We do too many developments in the ‘suburbs’ and that is creating a divide in our City
2. Space considerations
3. The Juxtaposition of ‘old’ heritage and ‘new iconic’ heritage in a mixed use space could send mixed messages – witness iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower which are single beacons untrammelled by ‘distractions.
4. The Statue of Liberty is 93m high, the Eiffel Tower is 300m high (324 to the tip) – our proposed Tower of Light is 81m high – we need to aim HIGHER.
5. If the Tower of Light is sited on ‘virgin’ ground we then have the option to create a tailor made precinct around it whilst stimulating development and pride in sections of our population who, for far too long have pointed out that development only happens along the beachfront.
6. Parking issues will have to be solved.
7. There will be huge resistance to change from the surrounding residents.
9.) Would you prefer if the Tower of Light visit be packaged with existing and/or new products to enhance the experience? If so, which ones? *
Yes. Red Location Museum, Mendi Memorial, Mendi Arts Centre, Access to the sea.
10.) Any other comments?
1. I propose the following site: The open area behind Easigas offers a large area of undeveloped land, is close to historic New Brighton, Red Location, Mendi Memorial and the homes of other famous South Africans. A partnership with TNPA, SANRAL could result in an opening up of a seaway from the Papenkuils River through Smelly Creek. We could even look at a long term project to open up the lower lying area to accommodate a Marina to kick start an AFRICAN EXPERIENCE Waterfront. Placing the Tower of Light in ‘virgin territory’ with lots of potential space will allow for the leapfrogging of development to take place away from the traditional areas we all turn to.
2. With reference to the Business Model – we should be seeing what model has been successfully applied by other iconic landmark projects.
3. Placing the Tower of Light on the “Papenkuils/New Brighton” site will also allow the proposed Community Food Garden to be sited closer to the Target Market.
4. Extending the Tower of Light precinct into the abandoned or under utilised industrial area of Deal Party will benefit the City as a whole.
5. The possibility is then also opened up to leapfrog to other areas able to accommodate heritage tourists such as Uitenhage and Bethelsdorp.
6. The Tower of Light design should rather be ‘darkness ascending into light’.
7. The Baywest Mall offers a Gross Lettable Area of 87 707 m², Greenacres offers a Gross Lettable Area of 40 398 m², Walmer Park of 43 020 m², Cleary Park Shopping Centre of 36 290 m², Pier 14 of 30 217 m² and The Bridge with 27 835 m². Introducing an additional 91 358 m2 on a total footprint of approximately 60 000 m2 will need to be carefully done in order to not take away from these existing developments but to rather complement them.
8. Utilising the “Papenkuils/New Brighton” site will open up the need to repair the Red Location Museum and kickstart the other precincts in the immediate area.
9. This site could also open up a ‘Defiance Route’ whereby tourists could travel from the PE Railway Station in a train along the ‘iron internet’ to the New Brighton Station (the site of the first acts of defiance in 1952), a walk to the Red Location Museum, onward to the Tower of Light, visits to the Mendi Memorial, Arts centre, homes of famous South Africans.
10. The development architects, construction and services MUST all be local Nelson Mandela Bay residents or companies.
My Proposed Area for the Tower of Light:
The Nelson Mandela Tower of Light concept encompasses a 27-storey building constructed predominantly of glass, with each floor representing a year of Mandela’s prison sentence at Robben Island. These 27-storeys are divided into three phases representing different aspects of his struggle.
The first section represents his pre-prison phase, where the visitors can learn about the man who would become the symbol of hope for the entire world. Further up the stairs towards phase two marks his imprisonment. This section is a silent section representing the banned voice of the people’s leader. A silence which creates the feeling of solitude that he experienced in confinement. In the last section at the pinnacle of the structure is his prison cell which has been recreated to size. Here, a statue of Madiba can be found sitting inside on the bed. It is here on the top floor that the spirit is captured in a space of reflection.
The journey up the tower is also a sonic one where visitors are greeted by the sounds of Qunu, excerpts of the Rivonia trial, and Madiba’s anecdotes and speeches to the nation as the visitor ascends towards the light.
The building represents an embodiment of Madiba’s spirt – it is straight and upstanding like he was, it encompasses his spirit and the light of his spirit will always be here. It is important to highlight that the balance of light and dark is metaphoric for his life, the good and bad years, the lean and fat years as well as appreciation. It is imperative that the experience will evoke the feeling of being in the presence of greatness.
His legacy is more than a bank note, more than a bridge, more than a statue. It is “us,” we are him because the spirit of Madiba lives on in us. This light calls on us to look within, to make a change in the world around us because before we can change anything, we need to change ourselves. And there is no better guide for this journey, our own long walk to freedom than the man whose values changed our country and our lives.
Alan Straton
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