Tshwane initiates clean-up in CBD to rehabilitate public spaces
The cleaning initiative is part of the city’s “Re A Spana programme” co-ordinated by the office of the mayor as a joint effort to clean up and restore pride in Tshwane.
A clean-up occurred in the Marabastad area to address long-standing problems of illegal dumping.
The cleaning took place on April 11, co-ordinated by Tshwane, local businesses and residents.
According to MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management Obakeng Ramabodu, they focused on an area experiencing illegal dumping challenges.
He said such environmental practices cause health hazards and threaten biodiversity.
“This place is important to many of us as it is a meeting point for everyone. Our parents boarded buses here, businesses were started here. So, it is necessary that we clean this place,” said Ramabodu.
He said cleaning the area top the administration’s agenda of making sure that the city is clean.
Ramabodu also took an active role in promoting effective waste management in the area, such as recycling, re-using and reducing waste. He said he partnered with civic organisations to achieve the dream of a clean environment that all residents aspire to live in.
One of the focal points of the clean-up was Jazz Square Park, which had been taken over by squatters.
Tshwane mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said public spaces were important.
We are in Marabastad this morning for #ReASpana. This area is notorious for uncleanliness and crime. We have focused on impounding several cars that have been dumped illegally in parks in the area. Over the next several days we will be cleaning up this area to ensure that its… pic.twitter.com/dSiss5LwFo
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) April 11, 2025
“You can see that this space is supposed to be a play area for children and what we had here were shacks that were demolished today.”
She said the shacks were removed because people cannot live in a park.
“This park must be open to all the residents of Tshwane, “she said.
Moya emphasised the need to sustain the action.
“We want to reclaim the CBD and return Marabastad to what it was before. Businesses must also play their part by staying in designated spaces,” she said.
Resident Tshepiso Tshiloane, who was part of the clean-up, welcomed the initiative.
“We are happy to clean the area because it was dirty and unsafe, but now that our municipality is taking action to make it better, we feel safe,” she said.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
