Legendary cross installed again at St Peter’s
rogersg@theherald.co.za
The landmark R7m restoration and reconfiguration of the historic St Peter’s Church site in South End is nearly complete.
That is the word from the Nelson Mandela Development Agency, which is driving the project on the hilltop above St Mary’s Cemetery, looking out on Algoa Bay and Gqeberha.
Agency spokesperson Luvuyo Bangazi said on Wednesday the project team, led by Thandie Mafu, had been hard at work.
“The project is now 80% done and it should be completed by end-July.
“One of the main pieces, the Fisherman’s Cross, is now in place.
“It was sculpted by Michael
Barry from Nelson Mandela University, who we awarded the job after commissioning it publicly.”
Built in 1875, St Peter’s served the vibrant multicultural community that existed before the forced removal in the 1960s of coloured people to North End in terms of apartheid legislation.
The original Fisherman’s Cross was part of the church and was considered to be a symbol of love and hope for the men in the trawlers and line boats in Algoa Bay.
Speaking at the launch of the latest project phase a year ago, manager Mafu said after extensive consultation with interested people and organisations on the focus of the development, the agency had settled on a coffee shop, curio shop, lounge and deck. This construction would be set in an indigenous garden in the southern corner of the site off Gardner Circle, above the ruins of the church itself.
She said the aim was to honour the legacy of old South End in a way that was attractive to tourists and young and old citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay.
The first phase of the project began in 2017 with the construction of a walkway from the top of the Black Steps — a famous feature of old South End where lovers met for secret trysts, and activists fled from police — down to the church.
In 2019, the lengthy process to apply for heritage approval to stabilise the structure of the crumbling walls of the church itself began. This application was eventually approved and the stabilising work was done in 2021.
Bangazi said the present phase started in April last year with the felling of alien pine trees which used to cover St Mary’s Cemetery, which extended from the church across to Union Street and Lower Valley Road.
“This tree felling was done to ensure security and to allow for restoration of the cemetery, which was completed late last year. The timber was given away to local industries and individuals.”
He said up to 10 local workers were employed directly by the main contractor in addition to labour employed by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in the project.
“To make sure this project presents economic opportunities, four packages for four SMEs were included.
“They have been instrumental in making sure the project is on track and on budget.”
He said the contractor was now busy with site clearance and earthworks for an additional walkway plus an electrical lights installation and landscaping.
The next steps would include installation of the deck, more sculptures and ablution facilities.
“The total value invested in transforming this iconic piece of real estate into a tourism and heritage asset for Nelson Mandela Bay to date is R7.2m.
“The main objective of this transformational project is to create a place of remembrance for old South End residents and the current generation.
“The site will also serve as a tourism asset for the city, attracting domestic and international tourists.
“The aim is to leverage the growing number of cruise liners arriving in Gqeberha and hopefully add an extra day’s stay to each of their itineraries.”