Sound On: Cape Town's iconic clock tower gets a glow-up

The City Hall clock, in the heart of the CBD, hasn’t worked properly for nearly 15 years. But thanks to the dedication of a local engineer and one self-taught horologist, this grand old clock is ticking and set to be chiming again soon.  

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has just dropped a behind-the-scenes look at the painstaking restoration of the iconic clock tower, once the tallest building in the city about 120 years ago when it was first built. 

Earlier in 2022, horologist Alexios Vicatos successfully repaired the time-keeping mechanism. Now, under the guidance of local engineer Marius Schoemant, the restoration of the chime mechanism is set to be fully complete between June and July.  

Watch the Mayor’s video to get a rare peek inside the clock tower:

Cape Town’s heritage tourism is alive and ticking

This iconic clock is ticking time-traveller proof that Cape Town knows how to fix the past without necessarily losing the plot. The City Hall’s balcony is also where former president Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech as a free man to a throng of supporters looking on from the Grand Parade. 

Don’t miss the chance to grab a snap with the life-size statue of the great Nobel Peace Prize winner on the City Hall balcony. There is also an exhibition inside City Hall dedicated to Madiba and his long walk to freedom. You’ll also find the Cape Town Tourism Visitor Experience Centre located on the ground floor. They’re packed with local advice and a few gift ideas celebrating the Mother City.   

And the City Hall isn't only about politics. You can also experience a Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra performance in the historic main hall, with its grand acoustics and vintage charm.

Set your clocks for a lunchtime date 

Head to City Hall around 12 pm, grab a gatsby, park off on the parade and soak in the steampunk vibes. You might hear the bells ring out for the first time in nearly 20 years. There is instant local cred in being able to say, "I was there when that old clock came back to life.”

Check out this interview with the Mayor himself, as he shares a few of his favourite things to do in the Mother City.      

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