Residents step in as major clean-up pushes forward along Winnie Mandela Drive
From clearing bridges to cutting back overgrown bush, residents spent three days restoring a key stretch of Bryanston in a campaign that shows how much work locals are doing to keep their suburb safe.
A coordinated three-day clean-up along Winnie Mandela Drive has revealed how much work local volunteers have taken on to stabilise and restore sections of Bryanston’s busiest corridors.
The effort forms part of the Re-imagine Randburg campaign, led by founder Lucinda Harman, who said residents have been working daily since December 1 to restore long-neglected public spaces.
“This work shows what residents are willing to do to keep their suburbs safe and functional, even when it’s not their job. People have stepped up because they care about their environment,” said Harman.
One team worked on the Grosvenor bridge and side wall, completing the bridge section in half a day before moving toward Ballyclare, where more repainting is planned next.
A second crew focused on heavy labour: clearing blocked culverts, removing vegetation, cutting back dense bush, and dealing with silt build-up that has contributed to flooding along Winnie Mandela Drive. Volunteers also repaired areas where sand had washed out and removed illegal signs.
The clear-out exposed several informal structures hidden deep in the bush. Volunteers reported men living in makeshift shelters near the corner of Ormonde and Winnie Mandela, where some passers-by have allegedly previously been struck by rocks thrown from the area.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department officers had been expected on site but did not arrive, leaving residents to proceed with caution.
Harman said the team also found damaged water infrastructure, which has been reported to Johannesburg Water.
Also read: Better Bryanston volunteers take on Main Road clean-up
“It’s a big job. Some of the issues here have been ignored for years, and we are documenting everything.”
A separate effort unfolded at the BP garage near Grosvenor Crossing, where business owners ran their own clean-up along Grosvenor Road.
This meant that, at one point, three active operations were underway across the same stretch of roadway.
She added that contractors are scheduled to cut back two large tree branches further down Winnie Mandela Drive near Ormonde. Volunteers hope the additional visibility will discourage people from rebuilding hidden shelters in the area.
Harman said the campaign will continue documenting both progress and gaps in municipal response.
“Residents are doing what they can, but we also need the city to show up. These roads, culverts and bridges serve thousands of people every day.”
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