Simon’s Town may welcome a new historic landmark next year: a bust of Charles Darwin.
Initiated by Professor Mike Bruton, the project aims to commemorate Darwin’s visit to the Cape Colony in 1836.
It has garnered support from the Geological Society of South Africa, the Cape Town Heritage Foundation, and the Simon’s Town Historical Society.
“Ever since the 2009 celebrations of the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth, I have been giving talks on the life and work of Charles Darwin, especially emphasising the importance of his 19-day visit to the Cape Colony in 1836,” Professor Bruton told the Echo.
“My ongoing research made me realise more than ever the important role that Darwin’s visit to the Cape played in the development of his iconic Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection,” he added.
Professor Bruton feels it is important for some memorial to be erected in Cape Town to commemorate Darwin’s visit.
Simon’s Town was chosen due to its historical significance, he said.
“We have chosen Simon’s Town Jetty as it is just a few hundred metres away from where HMS Beagle dropped anchor in Simon’s Bay for 19 days 188 years ago.“
Ward councillor Simon Liell-Cock said a proposal was submitted to Sub-council 19 in January and he escalated the application to the Department of Arts and Culture.
The chairperson of the City’s naming committee, Eddie Andrews, said the application would be reviewed according to the City’s naming policy.
“If the naming committee supports it, they will recommend a public participation process to the mayor. If the mayor agrees, the public can comment on the proposal.”
He added: “The naming committee will then review the feedback and make a recommendation to the mayor. If the mayor approves, it will go to the city council for final approval.”
Professor Burton noted that written permission was needed from a direct descendant of Charles Darwin to place the bust in a public space.
“I am in contact with the Darwin family, and we are in the process of obtaining this permission.”
The bust will depict Darwin at the age of 27, as he appeared during his visit to the Cape in 1836.
The goal is to have the bust completed and installed before the visit of the Dutch tall ship, Oosterschelde, which is retracing the route of HMS Beagle as part of the Darwin200 project in April 2025.
Sculptor Johan Steyn, of Lakeside, known for his human and wildlife sculptures, is creating the Darwin bust.
“I find busts fascinating because capturing a character is incredibly challenging, and it seems like I have a gift for it,” Mr Steyn told the Echo.
The challenge, Mr Steyn said, was to portray a young Darwin.
“I could only find two images of him as a young man, so I had to use my imagination and older images to fill in the gaps.“
Professor Bruton said R135 000 was needed for the project, and it would not proceed if the full amount could not be raised.
“R50 000 has been firmly pledged by the Cape Town Heritage Foundation, and we have raised an additional R19 600 so far,“ he said.
The Simon’s Town Historical Society’s chairperson, Roger Bagshaw, said the project had their full support.
“We are trying to raise funds both from our own members and our local civic and business associations. We hope the project will proceed. The bust will add significant interest to our historical town,” Mr Bagshaw said.
For more information, contact Professor Mike Bruton at mikefishesbruton@gmail.com
