The City of Cape Town is the world design capital 2014, yet the new bylaws that have been instituted are restricting and policing non-violent 'crime', like street art, skateboarding, busking, dogs barking, climbing trees and washing cars in public.

We advocate that the council instead use their energy to facilitate new discussions on how to work creativity and to support the creative industries in order to create a more inclusive, open minded society. 

This wall, is a small issue, but it is a part of this larger discussion.

After the anti- graffiti bylaw was passed there was a large cleanup of the city's walls and many historical artworks were lost during that time. 

One specific painting that was painted over was the iconic 'FREE MANDELA' slogan on the vibracrete wall of the cemetery on Anzio Rd , Observatory.
I remember driving past this slogan for many years. and it formed a part of the historic memory of our city. 

This got me thinking about the cultural relevance of certain artworks around us. 
Surely this 'FREE MANDELA' slogan is part of our collective memory that we should preserve?
It is something that can remind us all of a time in this country that we should not forget.

My friend Bazil Baxter collected signatures from several neighboring residents who were all extremely supportive of this initiative,
and we sent in a permit application to the City of Cape Town, to redo this slogan , in the exact manner and position of its former self. 

After some time i received a response that the application had NOT been successful, stating that the wall has heritage status and it will be protected in terms of the heritage legislation.
 
This response begs a question:
If this wall is protected by 'heritage legislation' exactly what heritage are we preserving?

I requested an appeal, regarding this application, and was referred to Mr Deon Fourie, of Property Planning,
but have received no response from Mr Fourie.

By signing this petition you support the request for an appeal and reconsideration of this application.

We advocate for the preservation of the memory of the "FREE MANDELA" slogan,
in homage to the person who risked his/her life by painting that slogan in a painful time of South African history.