Planting Peace: Rotary’s Garden of Hope Unveiled in Cape Town
Despite the winter chill settling in, a new symbol of peace is unfolding in Cape Town. A brand-new Rotary Peace Garden was officially launched on the final day of the Rotary Intercountry Committee (ICC) Africa Peace Forum, held from 25 to 27 April 2025.
Tucked within the Long March to Freedom Bronze Statue Park in Century City, this beautiful green oasis invites visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the shared human journey towards peace.
More than just a pretty patch of green, the Peace Garden is a living symbol of what happens when people from around the world come together with purpose. Rooted in indigenous trees and surrounded by the powerful procession of 101 bronze figures celebrating South Africa’s legendary leaders, the garden offers a moment of stillness and a reminder that peace must be nurtured, just like the plants growing there.
“This garden is more than a symbol. It’s a space where peace can grow. It is a commitment, a promise, and a reminder that peacebuilding doesn’t end with words; it lives in what we do next,” said PDG Ann Wright, co-coordinator of the Peace Forum and the driving force behind the garden. We’re so thankful to Century City and the Long March to Freedom Heritage Project for making this dream a reality.”
At the centre stands a newly installed Peace Pole, inscribed with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages, a quiet but powerful message to all who pass by.
“This was the cherry on the cake,” said Helene Visser, Past Rotary Foundation Chair. “Every visitor to Cape Town should come and experience it.”
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano was so inspired by the garden that he extended his stay to be part of the unveiling. In his keynote address at the gala dinner the night before, he called for peace to be planted and protected like a garden, nurtured daily in homes, classrooms, and communities, and championed across cultures and generations.
From Dialogue to Action
The garden was the final flourish of the second-ever ICC Africa Peace Forum – a gathering that brought together Rotarians, diplomats, thought leaders and changemakers from over 18 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
As Rotary’s engine rooms for international friendship and grassroots diplomacy, the ICC plays a vital role in strengthening relationships between countries, fostering mutual understanding, and driving impactful peace-building initiatives.
Rotary District 9350, which spans Namibia, Angola, and the western half of South Africa, hosted this prestigious event with both dignity and distinction, exemplifying Rotary’s commitment to service and global cooperation.
The forum opened with a warm welcome from Acting Premier Jaco Londt and featured powerful talks from leaders such as Nomhle Canca from The Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation), Christo van der Reede, from the FW de Klerk Foundation, and Janet Jobson from the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. From global conflicts to grassroots change, one message came through loud and clear: peace isn’t a far-off dream, it starts with us.
“We live in a world shaken by rising conflict, division, and displacement and so this forum proved that peace is local, global, and very real,” said PDG Ann Wright, co-coordinator of the Peace Forum. “The world needs reminders that peace is still possible, and it starts close to home. It’s found in the conversations we hold, the communities we serve, and yes, even the gardens we grow.”
The Rotary Peace Garden is open for all, and is free to enter. For more info on the ICC Peace Forum and how to get involved, visit: https://iccpeaceforum-capetown.org.
