Pretoria’s inner city is to get a R18-billion makeover in the next 15 years. It will include a Freedom Park and a cross-town ”heritage trail” from the park, through Church Square, to the Union Buildings.
The idea, planners say, is to transform the city into a world-class capital with South African architecture and an African feel.
The project, dubbed Re Kgabisa Tshwane (we are decorating Pretoria), is to be funded jointly by the national government, the Tshwane Metropolitan Council and private developers.
Seven nodes in the city are earmarked for regeneration: the Presidency or Union Buildings, Mandela Corridor, Sammy Marks Square, Paul Kruger North, Church Square, Museum Park and Salvokop, the proposed site for Freedom Park. They will form a procession route to be used in celebrations.
Residents and tourists will be able to walk from Freedom Park to the Union Buildings, passing a statue of King Tshwane and strolling through Mandela Corridor. The route will be lined with shops and cafÃ