CAPE TOWN – The annual Christmas lights display along Adderley Street, a beloved festive season tradition in Cape Town, has ignited a fiery debate after the City of Cape Town removed Christian symbols from the display. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has emerged as a vocal critic, expressing outrage and disappointment over the decision.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the ACDP articulated its concerns, noting that Christians constitute an estimated 80 percent of South Africa's population. The party views the removal of Christian symbols as "an affront to the majority of the city's citizens."
"Christmas lights traditionally celebrate the birth of Christ, and to eliminate the very symbols that embody the meaning of this holy day is unacceptable," the ACDP asserted.
The party elaborated on the significance of the removed symbols, stating, "The removal of representations such as the baby Jesus, Mary, angels, and other Christian icons undermines the cultural and religious heritage that so many South Africans hold dear."
The ACDP has firmly rejected any suggestions that its objection is rooted in religious dominance. Instead, the party maintains that the issue is about cultural recognition and the preservation of national identity.
"This issue is not about promoting one religion over another; it is about respecting the cultural traditions of the majority and maintaining the integrity of our national identity," the statement emphasised.
The ACDP has issued a strong call to the City of Cape Town, demanding an immediate reversal of the decision. "We therefore demand that the City immediately restore these Christian symbols to their rightful place in the Christmas display," the party stated.
Furthermore, the ACDP has raised questions about accountability within the city government, urging the official responsible for the decision to come forward and provide an explanation.
"We call upon the responsible city official — who remains anonymous at this time — to step forward and provide an explanation," the statement said, adding that the party seeks clarity on "which directorate authorised this removal and the rationale behind it."
Reaffirming its unwavering support for the Christian community, the ACDP has stated that it expects a formal apology from the city for the removal of the symbols.
"The erasure of Christian cultural identity is intolerable, and we will not remain silent while it occurs," the party declared, insisting on the immediate reinstatement of the removed symbols.
Adderley Street's festive lights have long been a popular attraction for both locals and visitors alike. Families and friends often drive down the street or stroll along its length to admire the colourful display. This year's theme, "We Love Africa," is meant to add a unique flavour to the festive season.
The City of Cape Town has not yet issued a formal response to the ACDP's demands. The debate over the Christmas lights display underscores the complex interplay of religion, culture, and identity in South Africa.
While the festive lights on Adderley Street are meant to bring joy and celebration, the controversy surrounding the removal of Christian symbols has cast a shadow over the annual event. The ACDP's strong stance reflects the deep-seated concerns of many Christians who feel that their cultural heritage is being undermined.
The City of Cape Town faces the challenge of balancing the diverse interests and beliefs of its residents while maintaining a festive atmosphere during the holiday season. The resolution of this issue will likely have broader implications for the way the city approaches cultural and religious expression in public spaces.
The debate also comes against the backdrop of ongoing challenges related to infrastructure and public safety in Cape Town. The City has spent R62 million in the past financial year repairing and replacing vandalised electricity infrastructure, as theft continues to cripple street lighting across the metro – to the point where the City is running short of copper cable.
City officials this week inspected ongoing streetlight repairs along major routes, but acknowledged that vandalism and cable theft remain a major obstacle, with infrastructure often targeted again soon after repairs are completed.
Copper cable is stolen in Cape Town for its high profits from the lucrative international scrap metal market, which is often driven by organised crime syndicates.
The theft is fuelled by copper’s high value, easy recyclability, and South Africa’s vulnerable infrastructure. Maintenance is being hampered.
The City of Cape Town maintains more than 245 000 streetlights, with repair teams responding to roughly 8 000 lighting-related service requests every month.
Despite the scale of the problem, the City says it has pushed its streetlight “burn rate” (the percentage of functioning lights) up to 88.8%, edging closer to a 90% target.
However, progress is being undermined by persistent theft. During the third quarter of 2025 alone, the City recorded 805 incidents of electricity infrastructure theft and vandalism, at an estimated repair cost of R16 million.
Mayco Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg, said vandalism is placing severe strain on resources – including the availability of copper cable.
“Unfortunately, in many cases, infrastructure is vandalised almost as soon as it has been fixed or replaced,” Limberg said.
“The City has deployed security to monitor hotspot areas where possible, replacing copper with lower street value alternatives and we are piloting innovative infrastructure protection tech solutions.”
The City has allocated R75.5 million for streetlight infrastructure in the 2025/26 financial year, while also deploying security at known hotspot areas and piloting new technology to protect critical assets.
Still, officials admit enforcement alone isn’t enough. The City has renewed calls for residents to report suspicious activity around streetlights and substations to SAPS or the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre.
Street lighting, the City warns, is not just about visibility – it affects road safety, crime prevention and public confidence, particularly during the darker winter months and peak travel periods.
“Protecting this infrastructure requires community involvement,” Limberg added. “The City can’t do it alone.”
As the debate over the Christmas lights display continues, the City of Cape Town must navigate the delicate balance between respecting cultural traditions and ensuring inclusivity for all its residents. The outcome of this controversy will likely set a precedent for future decisions regarding public displays and cultural expression in the city.
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