Thabo Bodibe
The Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Johannesburg, and the Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) JoziMyJozi have partnered to restore hope and pride to the heart of Gauteng through the CBD Fridays Revitalisation Programme.
The programme seeks to revitalise central business districts (CBDs) through its Friday cleanup programme, which addresses urban challenges such as crime, litter, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Under the theme “Cleaning up the Streets of Jozi CBD,” the most recent cleanup occurred at Johannesburg’s heart on Friday, November 29, 2024.
The teams covered several streets, including De Villiers, Plein, Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima Moosa, Kerk, Joubert Eloff, Von Brands, Kruis/Wanders, Klein/Von Wielligh, Delvers, Twist/Troye, Quartz/Polly, Claim/Mooi, Bamket/Goud and Nugget.
Johannesburg CBD is the heart of Gauteng’s economic, social, and cultural life. However, litter, poor infrastructure, and crime have hindered its full potential.
The provincial government has launched a CBD Cleaning and Revitalisation Campaign to restore the area as a thriving hub for residents, businesses, and visitors.
One notable revitalisation aspect is the Carlton Hotel, once an iconic Johannesburg landmark.
Plans are underway to redevelop the site into much-needed residential units, addressing housing challenges and revitalising the area in partnership with the Housing Development Agency and the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements.
The project aims to provide sustainable, accessible, and inclusive housing solutions while preserving the site’s cultural significance by repurposing the existing structure.
The provincial government’s broader plan is to transform strategic CBDs in Gauteng into vibrant urban hubs that drive broader economic growth, attract investment, and enhance residents’ quality of life.
This plan is designed to position the province as a dynamic economic powerhouse by focusing on several key areas of development, such as improving infrastructure, enhancing real estate values, supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises, boosting tourism, job creation, and attracting investments and businesses.
Beyond Johannesburg, the campaign’s scope includes other major CBDs such as Roodepoort, Tshwane, Hammanskraal, Germiston, Kempton Park, Tembisa, Vereeniging, Meyerton, and Krugersdorp.
The Friday cleanup campaigns reinforce the provincial government’s commitment to promoting economic growth across the province and restoring hope and pride to the heart of Gauteng, among other things.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
