The Friends of the Rhodes Memorial say they are concerned about the time it is taking to rebuild the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant and Tea Garden.
The restaurant was gutted in a fire on Sunday April 18, 2021, that burnt 600 hectares of Table Mountain National Park, from Rhodes Memorial all the way to Devil’s Peak. The historic restaurant was one of three landmarks – the others being the Mostert’s Mill and UCT’s Jagger Library – which were damaged (“Wild fire destroys historic landmarks,” April 19, 2021).
Gabriel Clark-Brown, chairman of the Friends, said they were concerned that what remained of the restaurant could suffer further damage.
“It is the second Cape winter since the fire, with the walls being exposed. The longer they take to rebuild, the more expensive the repairs are likely to be,” he said.
Mr Clark-Brown they had started clean-up initiatives in the interim but were still waiting on SANParks to confirm whether the restaurant would be rebuilt. He said a food truck had been set up by SANParks last month and the friends had provided a portable toilet and water for visitors.
Mr Clark-Brown said they would be willing to fund-raise like they had done for Mostert’s Mill, which is now almost completely repaired.
“All we need is an endorsement from SANParks to start fund-raising. The Friends of Mostert Mill have shown that it can be done,” he said.
The historic Mostert’s Mill is on the road to recovery after the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure gave the Friends of Mostert’s Mill (FOMM) approval to restore the old mill to its former glory in March.
FOMM managed to raise R200 000, including support from private anonymous donors and Dutch windmill operator Sven Verbeek, who raised more than 5500 euros (R89200) (“Restoration efforts under way at Mostert’s Mill,” April 21, 2022).
Friends volunteers organised a work party at the restaurant on Sunday August 7 to clear weeds, litter and debris. Later, several of them posted comments on social media about the time it was taking to rebuild the restaurant.
“It’s strange that no one seems to have had fire insurance, otherwise surely a rebuild would have begun already? Even if SANParks didn’t, one would have expected the restaurant tenants to have had,” said one.
Another said: “Let’s hope SANParks – Table Mountain National Park can put their money where their mouths are. Be proactive here and resurrect or allow a concession group to bring this gem back.”
Mr Clark-Brown said Rhodes Memorial was a sacred place that held fond memories, not only for Capetonians but people from all over the world. He said it was disheartening to see the state it was in now.
“Rhodes is a place of African beauty, a mix of diversity, different cultures and religions coming together at one place. Some come to meditate, others come after a hike and some come simply to take in the views, whatever the reason, it’s a special place for many.”
He said they were still waiting for updates from SANParks.
SANParks regional spokeswoman Lauren Howard-Clayton said the plan was to rebuild the restaurant through a tender process, which would be open for applications, but it was a lengthy process that would take time to finalise.
“Since the fire in April 2021, which caused significant damage to the Rhodes tea room, rehabilitation work has been done in the area, and the remaining structure has been covered to protect it. No further damage has been caused to the existing structure,” she said.
For more information, email info@friendsofrhodesmemorial.co.za or call Mr Clark-Brown at 072 182 0234.
