Tshwane implements urban revival this festive season

As the holiday festivities approach, Tshwane and its partners have recently implemented a new urban management plan to address the visual appearance of the city.

Over the past few weeks, the metro has been tackling areas such as Mamelodi, CBD and Centurion. The effort include attending to basic services such as grass-cutting, pothole-filling, road-marking, fixing street lights and clearing illegal dumpsites.

“This work forms part of the plan to gradually roll out our new urban management model which seeks to identify and prioritise key major routes within the city, including public spaces such as parks and buildings,” said mayor, Cilliers Brink.

Last year, the metro recognised the need to address park vagrancy, especially in the inner-city.

In late September, it said it would partner with the Gauteng social development and NGOs to roll out mobile showers and toilets in inner city parks for homeless people. The metro said homelessness and drug use in parks posed health and safety hazards.

Homeless people start fires in parks, which puts property at risk adding to pollution, loss of biodiversity, safety and vandalism had also been raised as concerns.

Locals suspect the homeless in housebreakings and they complain the presence of vagrants diminishes value of their homes.

“Already, there is a visible difference in Region 3 by Fountains Circle where our teams have cut grass and cleaned this key route into the city. Further down on the corner of Nelson Mandela Drive and Willow Road, we fixed a major water leak that had caused traffic delays and a lot of frustration for motorists,” said Brink.

Ward 59 councillor Shuan Wilkinson, who was present at the Fountain Circle cleanup, said the circle is a historic landmark in Pretoria and plays a role in the economic development of the city.

“The significance of this entrance into our city stems from its historical, architectural and symbolic value. The circle represents not just an important traffic hub but a gateway that welcomes visitors and residents alike. Over time, however, neglect and wear had diminished its allure,” he said.

“The decision by the mayor to give it a facelift is a significant step toward revitalising its grandeur and reasserting its role as an impressive entry point to the Capital City. Such attention highlights the acknowledgement of its importance within the city’s landscape and identity.”

He said 755 out of 988 water leaks reported in Centurion, Region 4 were repaired and grass was cut, potholes patched and roads marked in Atterbury and Tsamaya roads in Mamelodi.

“Significant work has also been done in the inner city and around Tshwane House. This is important because the inner city is a high-impact area where people from different places converge to work, meet and do business,” said Brink.

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