The unveiling of St Peter’s Rainbow Village in South End on Tuesday marked a powerful moment of remembrance and renewal for Nelson Mandela Bay.
Among the guests at the official launch were sports, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie, Bay deputy mayor Gary van Niekerk and the city’s sport, recreation, arts and culture political head, Sinebhongo Kwatsha.
The site of the old St Peter’s Anglican Church, which was established in 1875, has been reimagined as a monument to the vibrant multicultural community that once thrived in South End before being displaced by apartheid-era forced removals.
The preservation of St Peter’s Rainbow Village as a place of memory has been described as a demonstration of what a post-apartheid city can represent, presenting an opportunity to inspire the growth of tourism in the city.
The church was reduced to ruins by 1972 after forced removals left it empty and vulnerable to vandalism.
Today, thanks to the Mandela Bay Development Agency, those ruins have been carefully restored and its history preserved.
Speaking at the launch, the agency’s chief executive, Anele Qaba, highlighted the importance of the Rainbow Village, saying it served as a reminder of the sacrifices of the past — and as a beacon of hope for generations to come.
“Opening this part of Nelson Mandela Bay to the world reveals the untold stories of apartheid,” Qaba said.
“It shares the story of multiracial and multi-cultured individuals who lived with dignity and respect. This is what [late former president] Nelson Mandela wanted — a true rainbow nation.
“The building now stands as a symbol of resistance, and Nelson Mandela Bay is no stranger to restoring historical landmarks.”
Some of the activities of the day included a guided tour of the building and special remembrance garden.
The garden has a variety of painted stones, each symbolising the memories of the individuals who were forcibly removed under the Group Areas Act of 1950.
Van Niekerk reflected on the painful legacy of forced removals while acknowledging the importance of honouring the past through restoration efforts.
“On behalf of our municipality, thank you to all the shareholders who made this restoration possible,” he said.
“This has ensured that a site that was once lost has been turned into a place of remembrance.
“So many of us have been impacted in one way or another by the forced removals of people from here. My grandparents were forcibly removed and moved to Schauderville, where I grew up.
“It is our duty to honour the sacrifices of those who came before us.
“Initiatives like this will ensure that we continue to keep alive the stories that must never be forgotten,” Van Niekerk said.
McKenzie said in his speech that the process of restoring historical sites had been happening across the country, forming part of a bigger plan of preserving SA’s rich history.
“This is beautiful and much needed for our society. It is giving aspirin for the pain and turning something ugly into hope.
“St Peter’s Church has a rich and painful past, but it also highlights a future built on ubuntu. It proves that the human spirit rises above adversity.
“It is also important for us to protect and preserve our historical sites.
“Nelson Mandela Bay is a beautiful city, but this city can be so much more than what it currently is.
“We need to bring more events to the city and make the city lively again and invest in our museums,” McKenzie said.
The Herald
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