Rhodes Memorial Estate: South African National Parks to commence with the restoration
South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that it will commence with the restoration of the Rhodes Memorial Estate in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town. The Estate was closed in April 2021 due to the devastating fire which took place in and around Table Mountain National Park and the neighbourhoods of Newlands, Rosebank, Mowbray and Rondebosch. The fire destroyed more than 650 hectares of land. The damage to sites in the Table Mountain area included the Rhodes Memorial, including the Tea Room, the Mostert's Mill, a historic windmill as well as the upper campus of the University of Cape Town (UCT), where the Special Collections library was gutted by the fire.
According to Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Park Manager, Megan Taplin, the announcement of the restauration of the Rhodes Memorial Tea Room follows a rigorous process for an appointment of a suitable architectural service provider with a deep knowledge of heritage building structures. The appointed companies scope of work includes the drawing of plans for the Tea Room and associated ablutions, and to consult with Heritage Western Cape for compliance measures. Once the restoration work is completed, a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be advertised for an operator for the tearoom and associated activities. We'll keep you posted!
The Rhodes Memorial is a monument on the lower slopes of Devil's Peak in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town. The massive granite staircase memorializes diamond mogul and British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. The Tea Room is located behind the Memorial.
