R6m park development set to transform Naledi community
The R6m development will provide Naledi residents with recreational facilities, including playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment and safe public spaces.
Residents of Naledi are set to benefit from a new multifunctional park following a R6m investment by global mobility and delivery services company inDrive.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) and inDrive officially broke ground on the project during a sod-turning ceremony on October 27.
This marks the beginning of the development of a recreational space designed to promote exercise, play and community interaction.
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The park will be managed by JCPZ and is expected to provide residents with access to quality recreational facilities, including innovative playgrounds and outdoor gym equipment for people of different ages.
MMC for Community Development Thapelo Amad said the investment recognised the importance of providing children with safe places to play, regardless of where they lived.
“A child’s opportunity to play safely should never depend on their postcode. This investment in Naledi recognises the dignity of our residents and the value of public spaces where families can gather with confidence,” said Amad.
He thanked inDrive for a generous contribution that will help turn that principle into a lasting community asset,
Ashif Black, country representative at inDrive South Africa, said the company believed in creating opportunities and safe spaces that communities could enjoy and take pride in.
“We will draw on local expertise and labour wherever possible, and we look forward to working hand in hand with JCPZ and Naledi residents to create a welcoming, inclusive and safe park,” said Black.
The development will prioritise opportunities for local workers and service providers, with local expertise and labour to be used wherever possible.
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Safety will also be a key consideration in the park’s design, with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles guiding the layout and selection of installations.
The design will incorporate clear sightlines across playgrounds and exercise areas, visible entrances and exits, appropriate lighting and accessible pathways. Landscaping will also be planned to limit hiding places and improve visibility.
Robust materials and maintenance considerations will help protect the facilities and ensure the park remains a safe and welcoming space for residents.
The project aims to improve access to recreational facilities in Naledi, a Soweto township known for its historical significance in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, particularly the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
Executive Mayor Dada Morero welcomed the investment, thanking inDrive on behalf of the city’s more than seven million residents.
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“Investing in a world-class park affirms the dignity of a community facing vulnerability and marginalisation. Its lasting value will be seen in children playing, neighbours connecting and residents enjoying a public space they are proud to call their own,” said Morero.
JCPZ and inDrive said further details about the project’s implementation and opportunities for local participation would be communicated once confirmed.
