NEXT time you walk in De Lange Street, Bellville look down and appreciate the mosaic artwork adorning the street. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership recently announced that they had laid the final tile in the street in order to enhance the area in this northern suburb of Cape Town. Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith laid the final tile. Some 35 brightly coloured mosaic tiles have been placed along the road, including 13 unveiled in May last year during phase 1, and the recent addition of 22 in September for phase 2, depicting unity, pride and vibrant heritage. These artworks celebrate the diversity that defines Bellville, drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of nationalities that call this important economic node home. Monique Muller, the project manager at GTP, said, This mosaic is more than adding a splash of colour and vibrancy to our beautiful city. It is a celebration of the rich cultural fabric that makes Bellville so special…A painted frame surrounds each tile, displaying details about the mosaic, and a painted line, the selected colour, connects these frames along the pavement. Large planters at existing tree bases have been painted to illustrate the flags of different nationalities in Bellville. May the wonderful collaboration between the City and the GTP continue to strive with abundant success,commented Klein smith. Safe2Park, a partner in this final phase, has covered half the cost of the paint, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of local businesses to transform Bellville into a cleaner, safer, and more attractive haven for residents and small businesses. The project stems from an extensive public participation process held in November 2022, actively engaging with a wide range of Bellville residents to determine the most impactful theme for the mosaic in various locations. The indigenous nature of flowers emerged as the top choice, representing the community`s colourful heritage, and receiving the highest number of votes.
