As local development drivers, the Mandela Bay Development Agency in conjunction with the National Lottery Distribution Fund, launched a public art campaign in 2009 on the Donkin Reserve. The project is a phased initiative that will ultimately see 67 pieces of public art strategically placed around the Port Elizabeth CBD, MBDA officials said.

Route 67 aims to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 67-year role in South African politics and bring tourists to the historical centre of the city, explained MBDA planning and development manager Dorelle Sapere.

The 'Route 67' meanders through the CBD taking visitors past some of the Bay's oldest monuments, art deco architecture and a series of open-air artworks. Ten public artworks are already on exhibition and a further ten will be unveiled in September this year.

The initiative attracted the attention of the local arts community and soon there was an active drive to leverage the catalytic impact the MBDA's work was having, explained local artist Anthony Harris.

Route 67 Q & A - All your questions answered!

What does "route 67" mean for Nelson Mandela Bay?

This is a milestone project that celebrates Madiba's 67 years of public life and his contribution the freedom struggle of our country. We are looking at creating a route 67 walk which starts at the Campanile in Strand street and which then winds it way through the CBD and all the way up to the Great Flag on the Donkin Reserve. This walk will be symbolic of the struggle that Madiba and fellow comrades underwent during our very trying past under racial oppression and apartheid and its meant to be a symbol of hope for the youth and new generations to follow and to say that the struggles of the past were not in vain as such

What is it that MBDA is trying to achieve with Route67?

Route 67 will comprise of 67 different pieces of art that represent each year of Madiba's contribution to public life and each piece will represent a specific period during these 67 years eg certain quotes, media articles and historic events that helped shape SA into what it has become today will be on display. We are aiming to make people of the Metro become more aware of what public art can do towards creating an interactive urban space and also to engender a feeling of pride in one's City. Furthermore the creative industry in SA is a largely untapped one and which if correctly managed will be able to become a key driver for employment, social upliftment and economic development.

Quite a good initiative but who is Route67 for?

Yes you certainly can expect more such projects as the Metro is at the forefront of renewing its inner cities and part of this includes route 67 which is expected to become a very popular marketing product for Nelson Mandela Bay to promote. We are also working closely with the Mandela Foundation to ensure that Madiba's name is not plagiarized and abused and that whatever events that are held in tribute to him is done in a respectful and proper manner. As a Metro we are indeed very blessed and privileged to have had TATA agree that we can use his name and this is something that the Metro will be marketing more aggressively in order that we can attract more visitors to Nelson Mandela Bay to share in this unique experience.

Madiba Day coming up soon people might see this as a showpiece from the municipality – what happens to it beyond the 18th?

We see this route 67 becoming a major tourist attraction for Nelson Mandela Bay and which local and foreign tourists will all wish to experience. This will become one of the 'must-see must-do ' things for tourists visiting Nelson Mandela Bay ! In future we need to target the youth and school going population of the Metro to be regular visitors to the Route 67 and where they can educate themselves on what principles Madiba stood for and what he and his fellow comrades had to undergo in order for SA to become a democracy.

What is the MBDA's role in the city as a whole?

The MBDA was formed 6 years ago by the NMBM as a development agent for the municipality and which was tasked to implement various urban renewal initiatives and projects.

Speak us through Route 67 – how did it come about?

To date the Metro has been blessed to be given the permission to use the name of Nelson Mandela and it has always been felt that we don't really any symbols or buildings that really celebrates this great father of the nation. As a result Route 67 was born where we were able to lobby funds from the LOTTO and to create this product which will become iconic for Nelson Mandela Bay residents and all those who visit our lovely City!

The MBDA together with the local arts community as well as the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University have designed and concepted this project over a period of 2 years now. We have also consulted in length with the Mandela Foundation to ensure that MABDIBA's name was not abused or commercialized in any way that is unacceptable to the Mandela family as well as the Foundation. We must also add that a number of emerging local artists have also been involved with this project and which hopefully will be a good platform for them to launch their careers from.

Why the Donkin reserve?

Donkin Reserve is a heritage monument that is steeped in the colonial history of our Metro. As such the redevelopment of this public open space into one which celebrates the Father of the Nation and the freedom struggle is very symbolic of how we as a people and country have progressed since independence as we now want this public space to become embraced by ALL the people of Nelson Mandela Bay. We therefore see this precinct becoming a vibrant centre for all the Metros resident to visit and interact with the various public art pieces as well as to come and visit the Balcony of the City with its majestic panoramic views! We also in the process of creating a heritage precinct where we have just recently refurbished the Athenaem Club Building just across the road and which is currently being used to exhibit art pices of over 200 local artists and which has also formed part of the Grahamstown Festival that is currently taking place.