An online petition to get the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Room restored is slowly but surely gaining traction.
Last week, Gabriel Clark-Brown, chair of Friends of Rhodes Memorial, started the petition on change.org, calling for the tea room to be rebuilt and the “Devil’s Peak mess” to be cleaned up.
Clark-Brown took the step following a recent statement by South African National Parks (SANParks) that a second tender for the rebuilding and operating of the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Room was being finalised. This was also the first time since the heritage site burned down in April 2021 that SANParks went on record that the tea room would be rebuilt.
Clark-Brown has dismissed SANParks’ statement as nothing more than a desperate PR spin.
“SANParks realises it’s two years after the fire and they know people are going to hold SANParks accountable, that’s why they are saying the restaurant will be rebuilt. They haven’t been transparent in advertising the tender, nor given any road map of how the tender process works and when the restaurant will be complete,” says Clark-Brown.
The petition asks for the tea room to be rebuilt, for dead trees and weeds surrounding the area to be removed, for the site to be preserved from further damage and for indigenous plants and trees to be introduced to benefit future generations.
It also asks for SANParks to provide and commit to a clear plan of restoration.
“We call for transparency in both the tender process and the conditions set for the future appointed contractor. There needs to be a public advocacy forum linked to the SANParks tender process, encouraging the restoration of the restaurant and chapel facades to what they were,” Clark-Brown wrote.
By yesterday (24 April), just over 600 people had signed the petition.
Under “reasons for signing”, Don Nash wrote: “The restaurant provided an excellent place to eat, hold meetings and access to Table Mountain. Very accessible to tourists and Cape Town residents. Rhodes Memorial is an important tourist attraction and the restaurant would benefit from it.”
Elizabeth Wood wrote it is a national heritage that should not be lost.
Heidrun Rueede believes it is high time the site is restored.
“It was and will be again a lovely place to visit for locals and tourists. Please start soon to rebuild the restaurant.”
According to Michelle Foulkes, the tea room deserves to be upheld in the highest reverence.
“This historic landmark nestled in nature with spectacular views holds so many meaningful multigenerational memories for local residents.”
- The petition can be accessed at https://www.change.org/p/sanparks-rebuild-the-rhodes-memorial-restaurant-and-clean-up-the-devils-peak-mess/c
