It wasn’t the Big Bang but it was an historic event when a cannon, believed to have been buried underground in the central city for more than 200 years before it was discovered and lovingly restored, was ceremonially fired in the Company’s Garden yesterday.

The cannon, found under a pavement in Orange Street in 2013, is estimated to be about 419 years old. Restored by Martin Venter of The Cannon Association of South Africa, the Cannon Durr 980 was encrusted with clay and gravel when it was found. It is highly likely that it was cast by the Finspang foundry in Sweden and brought to South Africa by the Dutch East India Company to fortify the Cape of Good Hope in the 1600s.

At a celebratory event hosted by the Cape Town Heritage Trust, chief executive of the trust, Laura Robinson, said the rare cannon had a fascinating history, including its association with the country’s colonial past. Even so, “it will serve as a form of education for the public”. The cannon was ceremonially fired by Laura and Cape Town Heritage Trust chairperson, Tamra Capstick-Dale, who is also a member of the CT CCID board of directors.

Announcement posted on social media by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District - 2 April 2019