Shooting from the lip

Patricia de Lille.

Last week, talk show host Africa Melane asked out loud: “Who else would we like to see up there?”

What about other Freemen of the City? Richard van der Ross? Barack and Michelle Obama? For their contribution distilled in a four-letter-word: “Hope”.

Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane, the “Islander” inspired to be a priest by Robert Sobukwe, in damnation of Pass Laws? Or the man who so recently died, Ahmed Kathrada?

In every hero’s face, in every wrinkle, are so many stories. Footsteps to retrace and remember.

Infusing our daily lives with renewed empathy and gratitude.

And inspiration! In 2015, this column proposed the “Fan Walk” to Cape Town Stadium become a “Heroes’ Walk” – celebrating our sporting and artistic shining stars’ journeys.

De Lille’s words about “Uncle Kathy” could be said of so many of our exceptional people: “His life is deeply woven into the tapestry of Cape Town’s history and heritage, and his sacrifices and humility will remain a lasting inspiration for the coming generations.”

But back to Melane’s question: Whose face could adorn the Civic Centre next?

My proposal would be a face no one would instantly recognise. An ordinary face.

In Arlington National Cemetery, USA, one finds “The Tomb of the Unknowns” – a monument to American soldiers who have died without their remains being identified.

My face of choice on the Civic Centre would be of an “unknown”, representing every person in our history, whose journey was just as painful, as stoic, as those of our heroes – but was never documented.

And because we are determined to look forward, my image would be of a child.

In full flight, pushing a bicycle rim with sticks.

A quintessential child at play – with delight, with resilience, with abundant potential, and hope. “The Unknown Child.” A sight to remind us, every single day, of “why we are here”.