Nelson Mandela Bay residents can expect to hear the bells chiming again from the newly renovated Campanile.
The 50m high Campanile Memorial was officially reopened on Tuesday by Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Athol Trollip, after 20 months of reconstruction.
The Mandela Bay Development Agency's planning and development manager, Dorrelle Saphere said the Campanile was initially built to commemorate the landing of the 1820 Settlers and now also serves to recognize South Africa post 1994 democracy.
Saphere said the R18 million upgrade includes a specialised computerised bell system which is programmed to play new inscriptions in Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
The new building also has a lift installed to make sure that the disabled and senior citizens are able to get to the top to have a view of the harbour and the city.
She said the MBDA also worked with young artists around the metro who were able to showcase their work in the Campanile - thus creating opportunties for young people with creative talents.
"In the MDBA we have particular focus on working with the youth and enabling a new democracy via the youth, but it's also about economic opportunities. Whenever we have a project we try and work with young groups whether it is dialogue or whether it's an opportunity to have work exhibited. It creates an economic opportunity but it also showcases the social story that young people want to tell," she said.
The Metro's head of Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture, Andrew Whitfield said the Campanile will showcase the city's ability to attract tourists from all of the world because it has a diverse range of history. "It means that different people from different walks of life will feel comfortable engaging in this space. So I am convinced that the more products like this that we can develop, the more there is for tourists to see and experience in our City," he said.
Whitfield added that the municipality is looking at hiring tourism safety officers who will be able to enforce by-laws and also assist tourists. "We want to locate those people at key tourists attractions to make sure that when tourists visit they feel safe and are safe. Tourism safety officers are high on our agenda and we hope to role that programme out soon," he added.
Residents, who are interested in visiting the Campanile can contact the MBDA.
