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Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Where should NMB site the Tower of Light?

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The Tower of Light concept encompasses a 27-storey building constructed predominantly of glass, with each floor representing a year of Nelson Mandela’s prison sentence at Robben Island. These 27-storeys are divided into three phases representing different aspects of the struggle. The first section represents Madiba’s 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 also provides a sonic experience, 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 spirit – it is straight and upstanding like he was and encompasses his spirit, whose light will always be here. It is important to highlight that the balance of light and dark is a metaphoric representation of his life, the good and bad years, as well as appreciation. It is imperative that the experience evokes a feeling of being in the presence of greatness.

The first task in the Tower of Light Precinct Business Plan was to identify a potential site for the proposed development. For a potential site to be considered as a possible location for the development, it was required to meet a minimum set of preconditions.

According to the Executive Director for Economic Development, Anele Qaba, “the outcome of the business plan report recommended St George’s Park as the ideal and preferred site for the establishment of the Tower of Light. St Georges site fulfils several key considerations such as land ownership, hence doing away with protracted land issues that have plagued some of the earlier muted catalytic projects. St Georges is also perfectly suited in terms of elevation and out of flight paths, and this is important for the height of the 27-storey structure. The other consideration is that St Georges is centrally located, closer to main routes, public transport hubs and already in an Urban Development Zone”.

Siyasanga Sijadu, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development says “The Tower of Light represents a new opportunity for Nelson Mandela Bay to rebuild its economy and claim its spot as a leading City of the future. As the leadership of the City, we urge all residents from every corner of the Bay to read the Business Plan and make their contributions. We are under no illusion, to fulfil this project, we will need all role players to come on board and drive the vision with us. It is time to rise up from the ashes and built a new inclusive, vibrant and thriving economy for all.”

Qaba further added “residents and all stakeholders can contribute their views and opinions via the zero rated, free to access online survey. This platform was created and is operated by the Municipal entity, the Mandela Bay Development Agency. Through this free to access tool, under the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, the City is providing resident with equitable access to contribute and inform the City’s development agenda. Upon receipt of inputs from stakeholders, it will be captured, analysed and incorporated in the planning process of the project”, concludes Qaba.

Residents, Business owners and all stakeholders can simply go to www.mbdaengage.co.za via a phone, tablet or desk computer and they will land on the Tower of Light survey. Completing it will not consume the user’s data and only takes a few minutes. Several other projects such as Bayworld redevelopment and the Baakens Zipline have successfully utilized the MBDA engage platform and thousands of residents have used it to have their say.

Proposed Tower of Light
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.