The capital city’s iconic landmark welcomed in Spring, making it more accessible for daily users and tourists.
The initiative is part of the Church Square Revival Project (CSRP), making the Square and area around it clean, green and safe.
Since the inception of the CSRP the Square has seen a transformation through various clean-up initiatives. Kiosks and lampposts have also been painted and recently, paving around the Square was also fixed and replaced.
This is latest initiative has seen collaboration between City Property staff along with the city’s inner city response team and numerous volunteers picking up litter, removing illegal dumping, sweeping and cleaning the area.
One of the most important aspects of yesterday’s project included the installation of the solar lights around the Square. This will ensure the area is lit up at night.
CSRP member City Property Administration were approached by ATW Construction who donated the solar lights, while the brackets were manufactured and sponsored by Valcer Construction. The City of Tshwane made one of their electricity vehicles and staff available to install these onto the lampposts.
“The collaboration between various stakeholders is evident in what we achieved today,” managing director of City Property, Jeffrey Wapnick said. “We love the city and this partnership goes to show what a difference we can make if we work together. We see this as a way to boost the revitalisation of Pretoria’s inner core.
To add some colour, the property management company donated flowers that were planted in planter boxes in the pedestrian-friendly part of Helen Joseph Street leading to the Square and in Burlington Arcade. A local inner-city school also visited the Square for their spring celebrations which included a fun colour run.
“To see the kids smiling, running around and enjoying a clean and safe public space make these initiatives worthwhile and motivates us to do even more.”
The spring clean comes ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) Church Square Walk – another initiative of the CSRP – where participants will be able to access buildings around the Square and learn more about the buildings, its history and tales and legends. This include visits to the cell at the Palace of Justice where former President Nelson Mandela was held during the Rivonia Trail, Tudor Chambers, built in 1903 and once the tallest building on the Square and Standard Bank Chambers.
The CSRP is a public/private community initiative working towards the rejuvenation of Church Square as a tourist destination and public space.
The CSRP project is driven by a group of people from the community as well as the private and public sector, and includes the City of Tshwane Municipality, Capital Collective NPO, Tshwane Metro Police Department, SAPS, the Pretoria Society of Advocates and City Property Administration.
Shops, property owners and businesses in the area as well as the community on the ground are also being engaged, encouraging involvement and support.