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BELLVILLE CLOCK TOWER CHIMES ONCE AGAIN
BELLVILLE CLOCK
TOWER CHIMES AGAIN
Following a major restoration campaign, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, together with the City of Cape Town, proudly launched the restored Bellville Clock Tower at the Bellville Civic Centre in May.
From left: Johan Potgieter, founder RichBoy Clothing, Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith, Councillor Jacoline Visser, Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Alderman James Vos, Warren Hewitt, CEO GTP.
The launch of the restored clock tower – the first time it has functioned properly in over 25 years – was a celebratory event, opened by Alderman James Vos and supported with a word from Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“For over two decades, the clocks on the Bellville Clock Tower have not been functioning, symbolising time standing still,” says Warren Hewitt, CEO of the Greater Tygerberg (GTP). “With the new urban regeneration of Bellville, restarting the Bellville Clock Tower sends a clear message of progress and renewal.”
IMPORTANT LANDMARK
For the people of Bellville, this much-needed restoration means residents in the second metropolitan node of Cape Town can finally enjoy one of their most important architectural landmarks.
Work on the renovation project finished at the end of April 2022 and included completely removing, rewiring, repairing, servicing, and re-installing the motors within all four clock faces, as well as giving the tower and its base a fresh coat of paint.
Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis at the Bellville Clock Tower.
The restored Bellville Clock Tower.
The surrounding pond area has also been cleaned, and four new water fountains with specially manufactured fountainheads have been installed on each side of the tower. Each has underwater colour LED spotlights installed to create a mesmerising light installation at night.
Jacoline Visser, ward councillor for the area, says: “The historic clock tower in Bellville means so much more than the time it keeps. We find ourselves so busy planning and looking at the future of Bellville that we can overlook important things at ground level. Restarting this clock is the start of many new beginnings for Bellville.
“I want to highlight that it also illustrates much more than the repair of a broken clock; it symbolises an active change in the mindset and emotional investment of the community. I believe the renewed clock will set the tone of discipline and encourage ownership for all those invested in repairing Bellville. I want to thank the GTP for reminding us that the time has begun for new things that are on the way to revive Bellville,” she adds.
Hewitt continues, saying: “This is an incredibly exciting day for all living in Bellville, and everyone should be exceptionally proud of this fantastic achievement. The new-look clock tower is now not just a functional piece of art that everyone can be proud of, but it also helps foster positive community cohesion and progress. The clock tower creates a new public space for residents to gather for markets, shows, and family gatherings during the day and a place for them to enjoy a captivating light show at night. The GTP is incredibly thankful to all the donors and contributors who have helped make this project such a success.”
FUNDRAISING SUCCESS
Breathing new life into the Bellville Clock Tower was only made possible thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised a whopping R97 550 in less than two months. Generous support and contributions came from residents and businesses, including local designer RichBoy Clothing, which donated their time and merchandise, as well as some of Bellville’s national music legends who threw their weight behind the campaign. The likes of De Heuwels Fantasties, Fokofpolisiekar, Hiram Koopman, Francois van Coke, and Loki Rothman donated their time to the campaign, helping to increase the campaign’s exposure.
The campaign’s extraordinary level of success surprised many members of the GTP and the City of Cape Town, and plans are already underway to continue the phenomenal fundraising efforts. “There is plenty of work still to be done to ensure the Bellville Clock Tower remains one of the best performing public spaces, not just in Bellville, but also among the wider municipality. The GTP is committed to working closely with the City of Cape Town to continue executing our vision for the clock tower, and we are especially confident that the people of Bellville will support us in our future endeavours,” Hewitt concludes. ▪ To find out more about other Bellville restorative projects by the GTP or to donate, visit: www.gtp.org.za
