Rhodes Memorial — Attraction in Cape Town Ward 57

Quick Takeaways

🏛️ Built in 1912 to honour Cecil John Rhodes (1853–1902), British colonialist, mining magnate, and politician.

🐎 The imposing horseman statue (Physical Energy by George Frederic Watts) symbolises ambition and imperial vision.

🦁 Eight bronze lions flank the staircase, representing calm strength and guardianship. 🪜 49 granite steps — one for each year of Rhodes’s life.

🧱 Classical U-shaped structure made from Cape granite, designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Francis Macey.

📜 Inscription: “To the spirit and life work of Cecil John Rhodes who loved and served South Africa. 1853–1902.”

♿ Access: well signposted and easy to reach, but limited for wheelchair users — steps are the only way to the main terrace.

⚖️ Once a monument to imperial ambition, now a symbol of reflection on colonial legacy.

⏰ Open 24/7 365 days a week but best seen during a clear, and prefferably sunny, day

Review

Well signposted and easy to reach, the Rhodes Memorial sits high above Cape Town, reached via a long, winding road that leads to a large, open car park. It’s a desolate, windswept place. As you step out, the side of the monument rises above the trees — vast, solid, and commanding. Walking closer, you’re met with a structure that dominates the hillside, both impressive and imposing.

At the base stands the bronze statue Physical Energy by George Frederic Watts — a man on horseback, one hand raised to his brow as though scanning the horizon. This horseman is not Rhodes himself, but a symbol of boundless ambition and exploration: the drive to push forward, to conquer, to expand — qualities that Rhodes admired and embodied. From there, broad granite stairs rise, flanked by eight bronze lions sculpted by John Macallan Swan, each representing strength and silent guardianship.

At the top, 49 granite steps, one for each year of Rhodes’s life, lead to the main structure — a grand, classical U-shaped building designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Francis Macey. The tall Cape granite columns frame the bust of Cecil John Rhodes, whose relaxed and contemplative pose looks out toward the plains below, as though surveying the lands he once claimed. The main inscription reads:

“To the spirit and life work of Cecil John Rhodes who loved and served South Africa. 1853–1902.”

Below are lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem Burial, describing Rhodes as “the immense and brooding spirit” of the land — capturing how he was once idolised as a hero of empire.

Unveiled in 1912, ten years after his death, the memorial was funded by public subscription to celebrate Rhodes’s achievements in expanding British rule over more than 1.1 million square miles of southern Africa — territory that would later become Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was designed to inspire awe and pride in a man considered, at the time, a visionary.

Today, that legacy feels far more complex. The stonework is grimy, weeds grow in the cracks, and the bust bears the marks of vandalism. Trees encroach on one side, and the site feels both majestic and forgotten — a relic of an age whose ideals have eroded.

Accessibility is reasonable but limited for wheelchair users, as the only way to the main terrace is via the stone staircase. There are no ramps or alternate safe routes, restricting full access for some visitors.

At the rear once stood a restaurant, but it now lies in ruins — roofless, graffitied, and abandoned — leaving the monument itself as the sole focus.

Standing before the memorial, you can feel both its grandeur and its fading relevance. It was built to glorify an empire-builder, but now stands as a silent reminder of ambition, exploitation, and the shifting narratives of history. The wind, the quiet, and the creeping decay make it both haunting and thought-provoking — a physical dialogue between the past and the present.

In its scale and solitude, the Rhodes Memorial captures the story of a nation still reckoning with its past: a monument of stone and shadow, reflecting not only the life of one man, but the rise and reconsideration of an...

stayed at the City Lodge Cape Town which was conveniently located about a 10 minute walk from the main part of the V & A Waterfront. The rooms were comfortable and well kept, the breakfast was very good and had a great selection. My only complaint would be that the supposed pool was nothing more than a large jacuzzi. Overall, I would stay here again for the price it was very nice, and the staff was very friendly.

The Sights: As a first time visitor to South Africa, I did most of the tourist things. I travelled to Cape Point for a day and was not disappointed. The scenery in and of itself was worth the trip, a look to the right and you could watch the waves of the ocean crashing over beautiful rock formations and against the coast. A look to the left and I was amazed at the mountains and scenic views. Upon reaching the Cape Point Nature Park one sees wild baboons, ostriches, and gazelle type animals right along the road. The views from the point light house are fantastic and the weather was perfect.

I spent another day on Table Mountain, which forms the backdrop of the city. Again, the views from the top are well worth the cost of the cable car ride. After leaving table mountain we travelled to Stellenbosch and the wine region. Make this a day and hire a driver to take you so that you don't have to worry about driving. I would recommend Simonsig Vineyards, and La Motte Winery as excellent choices.

Another day was spent at the botanical gardens, and while it was mid summer and most of the plants were not in bloom, the beauty of the area and the scenic views are very nice. I would love to see this in the spring when the thousands of plants and flowers are in bloom. Followed this up with a walk through the Company Gardens and Greenmarket square in...

Splendid.

Great view, well-maintained area with good hiking trails(some with climbing opportunities). Stay close to your friends though, especially if you are not familiar with the place. Some people struggle to find each other when split up and have to head back to a set point to reunite. Plus, aome dodgy people occasionally walk around up there (quite rare but you're fine if you have a friend or two, at least.)

Story: I've been there many times (often used it as a running checkpoint for my weekly uphill runs) so very reasonable understanding of the area. I went on a double-date hike there and my best friend went ahead, looking for the right route (we hadn't been in a while and had forgotten how to get to one particular spot(Elephant's Eye)). I stayed behind with the ladies and we trod slowly on to catch up to where he had gone.

Since none of us had our phones on us (for safety purposes), we couldn't contact each other. So when he had been taking a while to come back, i asked to ladies to wait in a safe and enclosed. Shady area (void of sunlight, not dodgy) while i climbed a steep wall and basically went full mountain-climber trying to hunt him down on possibly one of the more difficult routes to ascend.

After a tedious search, i returned to the ladies and reported that he was nowhere to be found. I had thought that he might have found his way back to them in a roundabout fashion. So i went back up, faster this time and caught him on his way down. We hugged, of course, and i scolded him.

Nevertheless, we could not find the correct path and ended uo going to a substitute "cave". A scuffed Elephant's Eye, if you will.

Having found our own quiet place, we took some good photographs and headed back down. A good day overall, despite...