A prime location in Cape Town’s history, the Grand Parade is where: the Dutch built their first fort in 1652; slaves were sold and punished; crowds gathered to watch Nelson Mandela’s first address to the nation as a free man after 27 years in jail; and the official FIFA fan park for the 2010 World Cup was set up. A market is held on part of the square, which is also used for parking. The city has allotted R7 million for the renovation of the grand Edwardian Cape Town City Hall , which faces the parade and is now used occasionally for music and cultural events.
