The City of Joburg has deployed multi-disciplinary teams to clean up the Ellis Park precinct ahead of this weekend’s top rugby match.
This comes as a spotless Berea and Ellis Park precinct have sparked curiosity among Joburgers on social media who, after seeing posts and videos of the precinct, marvelled at the make-over.
However, this is according to the City of Joburg, part of the Urban East area undergoing a significant transformation as the city prepares to host a major international rugby test match at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
The much-anticipated event will see the Springboks face off against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship.
The spotless precinct has sparked a flurry of activities with the Ellis Park area, with the City pulling out all the stops to ensure the venue and its surroundings are in pristine condition.
City Manager Floyd Brink indicated that he and his team were committed to ensuring the precinct is ready for the influx of visitors which is why he has deployed multi-disciplinary teams to kick off the clean-up campaign.
“Multi-disciplinary teams from different City entities and departments have been working hard to promptly address service delivery issues in and around the Ellis Park precinct ahead of the upcoming rugby game. Our goal is to ensure that the area is clean, safe, and ready to welcome all visitors,” said Brink.
Stephen du Preez, founder of LocalAbode and project lead for the Urban East District Alliance under the Jozi My Jozi initiative, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative efforts between public and private entities.
“It’s wonderful to see how the City of Joburg, the Jozi My Jozi movement, Lions Rugby Union, the stadium management, and various corporates have all come together to give this area a much-needed facelift,” he said.
The campaign to revive the area notorious for its crime and hijacked buildings and houses include the installation of over 380 solar lights around the precinct, aimed at enhancing night visibility and safety for residents and visitors.
Brink acknowledged the importance of this initiative, saying: “The involvement of various stakeholders, including Jozi My Jozi, has been instrumental in facilitating the clean-up efforts, which also include the installation of solar lights to enhance safety and security.”
Regional director of the Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F, Irene Mafune, emphasised the importance of the precinct due to its strategic partnerships with institutions like the University of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Central College Ellis Park campus.
She confirmed that service delivery challenges, including faulty street lights and burst pipes, were being attended to swiftly.
As the city prepares for the 60 000 rugby fans expected to fill the stadium, transport services are also being co-ordinated to ensure a smooth experience. A key highlight is the partnership between Gautrain and Prasa, offering free train rides from Park Station to Ellis Park for match ticket-holders.
The Star