Church Square Revival Project for the Public and Tourists

Have you visited Church Square recently? When was the last time you experienced Pretoria’s city center’s vibrant colors, sounds, and unique character

On October 7, 2023, Church Square opened its doors to the public, unveiling its hidden treasures and attractions, as well as the often unnoticed marvels it holds. Visitors were able to follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, discover the splendid Capitol Theatre, explore Paul Kruger’s office in the Raadsaal, and enjoy a rooftop view of the square, among other experiences.

As part of the day’s program, guests were also invited to attend the lively city arts and culture project, Market@theSheds at City Property’s 012central precinct. The day was all about rediscovering the capital, looking beyond the challenges and focusing on the possibilities and potential of a city steeped in traditions and stories, both old and new.

The Church Square Revival Project was a collaborative effort between the public, private, and community sectors, dedicated to rejuvenating Church Square as a tourist destination and a public space. The initial step was to make the area cleaner and more accessible, with the overarching goal of transforming it into a vibrant community asset by activating currently empty or underused buildings. This initiative also aimed to boost the revitalization of Pretoria’s inner core.

For too long, a communication gap had kept stakeholders, government institutions, and development assistance groups separate, preventing them from recognizing their common interests and collective strength. Fortunately, this gap was narrowing, and people began to realize that what united them was far more significant than what divided them. They were coming together to Make Common Cause.

A diverse group of individuals from the community, private sector, and public sector spearheaded the CSRP project.

It included the City of Tshwane Municipality, Capital Collective NPO, TMPD, SAPS, the Pretoria Society of Advocates, and City Property Administration. Engaging shops, property owners, businesses in the area, and the local community was also a priority, encouraging involvement and support.

Church Square, a prominent attraction in the heart of Pretoria, received a much-needed facelift on that day, while also showcasing its hidden gems and overlooked wonders.

According to Lize Nel, spokesperson for City Property, during the Pretoria Church Square Revival Open Day, the public had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, visit Paul Kruger’s office in the Raadsaal, and enjoy a rooftop view of the square.

This initiative was part of the Church Square Revival Project, a public-private community effort dedicated to revitalizing Church Square as a tourist destination and a public space.

Its mission was to make the area cleaner and more accessible.

“City Property spokesperson Lize Nel stated that , It is also seen as a way to boost the revitalization of Pretoria’s inner core, a communication gap had kept stakeholders, government institutions, and development assistance groups apart for too long, preventing us from being aware of our common interest and realizing our combined power,”

She explained that the project was driven by a group of individuals from the community, private sector, and public sector. It also enlisted the support of the City of Tshwane, Capital Collective NPO, the Tshwane metro police department, the SAPS, the Pretoria Society of Advocates, City Property Administration, shops, property owners, and businesses in the area.

Another significant aspect of the project was the Colour My City initiative, aimed at beautifying the city with colorful plants.

“We firmly believe that cities should evolve to ensure their relevance for future generations.

“One of the exciting projects we started earlier this year is to add some color to the urban landscape. Color has a profound impact on our emotions and how it influences our perception of the world.

“Our project involved cleaning and revitalizing various planter boxes across the city. They could be found in numerous public spaces throughout the city,” Nel said.

She added that the project was led by managing director Jeffrey Wapnick, who was passionate about community building and actively shaping the future while working diligently to transform the city for the better.

“We want other stakeholders to join us in beautifying our city. We can amplify the impact and bring about positive change under the umbrella of #ChangeOurCityForGood.”

Some of the places where you could find the colorful planters included Church Square, Helen Joseph pedestrian area, Burlington Arcade, 012central, One on Mutual, and City Property head office.