Cape Town aims to boast 3 world heritage sites

Cape Town is aiming to become the first city in the world to boast three world heritage sites. Along with Table Mountain and Robben Island, the city hopes to have its historic Company's Garden added to the very exclusive list.

As the green heart of the Mother City, the Company's Garden lures nearly 700 000 local and international visitors every year. Hundreds of years of history are woven into its roots, bulbs and petals. It was established in 1652 as a vegetable garden to feed hungry and sick sailors on their way to the east. The pivotal role it played on the spice route makes it of international importance.

"Black pepper at that stage, in the 1400's, was more valuable than gold. The riches that derived from the spice trade, in fact, drove much of the industrialisation of western Europe - so you could say almost because of the Company's Garden it financed the industrialisation of western Europe,” says Garden manager, Rory Phalan.

Gems like the rose garden dating back to 1929 and the oldest cultivated pear tree in South Africa can be found there. It was only declared a public space in 1848 but since then has become a city icon.

A four year, R4 million upgrade project is underway to bring the Company's Garden up to international standards. The long term goal is to get it declared a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Site.

Source: SABC

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