More than 800 participants took to the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria on 24 October 2026 as the Dr S.B. Radebe Foundation led a cleaning campaign aimed at restoring the cities’ cleanliness and dignity. Held under the theme “Bring Back the City”, the campaign saw participants cleaning the Central Business Districts (CBDs) and collecting accumulated rubbish from street corners, pavements and roads.
The initiative received support from The Revelation Institution, A Spiritual Home (TRSH), the Community Policing Forum (CPF), Amabungani, Jozi My Jozi and the South African Police Service (SAPS), bringing together community organisations and other stakeholders in a collective effort to address urban decay.
Once celebrated for their beauty, green spaces and modern infrastructure, Johannesburg and Pretoria have increasingly faced challenges associated with deteriorating public spaces, littering and poor municipal service delivery. These challenges have affected the appearance and functionality of two of South Africa’s most important cities. Johannesburg, founded in 1886, grew from a mining settlement into a major economic and financial centre, while Pretoria, founded in 1855, became the country’s administrative capital.
It is against this backdrop that the Dr S.B. Radebe Foundation undertook the “Bring Back the City” campaign. As a charitable organisation committed to promoting human dignity, the Foundation recognises that the condition of cities and public spaces is closely linked to the quality of life of the people who live and work in them.
While municipalities remain responsible for maintaining urban infrastructure and delivering basic services, the campaign highlighted the role that communities and organisations can play in complementing these efforts. By mobilising more than 800 participants, the Foundation demonstrated the importance of collective responsibility, community participation and environmental awareness in confronting urban neglect.
The “Bring Back the City” campaign therefore served as a call for renewed commitment to the cities’ upkeep. Through continued cooperation between municipalities, organisations, and residents, Johannesburg and Pretoria can work to reclaim the cleanliness, beauty, and vibrancy for which they were once known.
