They’re Selling Our Eden: Joburg’s Botanical Gardens to Be Privatized in Secret Joburg Metro Plan.

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Public statements from JPC General Manager Sizeka Tshabalala insist that no sale is planned, only a review of outdated lease fees some as low as R2 to R49 per year as a move to "align with the entity’s model."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, civic groups, and local councillors view this framing with deep suspicion.

The core controversy stems from ambiguous language in the council report, which lumps a 173-hectare swath of conserved land (Portion 33 of Farm Braamfontein 53‑IR) under the label “Marks Park,” without clarity on whether the Botanical Gardens and other iconic sites are included. Councillor Nicolene Jonker warns that this ambiguity suggests intent to permanently alienate municipal property through lease or sale, contrary to public interest.

Civil society actors including Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) and community-led campaigns are demanding transparency and full-scale public consultation. They allege the process may violate municipal law, donor intentions (the original land was donated for perpetual public recreation), and even the Municipal Finance Management Act.

A petition opposing the proposed lease or sale is gaining traction online. One local resident, Thembi Dzana, decried the city's intentions on social media:

“Nothing beautiful will remain in this country at this rate, these old people really are selling everything for a buck”

JPC officials maintain that once council reviews are complete and approved, they will engage with affected communities. Yet critics say such consultations may be perfunctory and too late to reverse irreversible decisions.

What’s Next:
City Council is expected to table the JPC-backed reports in the coming weeks. If approved, a public participation process will begin though questions remain whether it will genuinely influence outcomes or merely rubber‑stamp predetermined plans.