A Grand Old Building - Cape Town City Hall

On the 29th of August 1900 the mayor of Cape Town, Thomas Ball, laid the cornerstone of the City Hall. The building, designed by architects Reid and Green from Johannesburg, was completed in 1905. The City Hall is one of the last major Victorian buildings built in Cape Town. Most of the building materials was imported from Europe, including the honey-coloured oolitic limestone, which was imported from Bath in England.

The City Hall has become well-known for another reason, it is the place where Nelson Mandela gave his first public speech after his release from prison.

Balcony where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after his release from prison

Shortly after his release from prison on the 11th February 1990, Nelson Mandela made his way to the City Hall, where he addressed thousands of South Africans who had gathered on the Grand Parade to celebrate his release.

Nelson Mandela on the balcony of City Hall with Cyril Ramaphosa on his left and the late Walter Sisulu on his right

Source 1
Source 2

All photos of Cape Town City Hall are my own.

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