Joburg Metro Poised to Privatise Botanical Gardens Without Resident Consent
Johannesburg, 15–18 July 2025 In a move sparking intense public outrage, the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, is reportedly preparing to alienate key public green spaces including the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Emmarentia Dam, parts of Marks Park, Melville Koppies, and more under the guise of lease reviews and redevelopment. Critics argue the process bypasses true consent and threatens the integrity of these beloved communal ecosystems.
Public statements from JPC General Manager Sizeka Tshabalala insist that no sale is planned, only a review of outdated lease fees some as low as R2 to R49 per year as a move to "align with the entity’s model." But many residents,…