The #ProudOfMyTown initiative recently held a meeting to continue conversations about the revitalisation of the St Georges Precinct and Mangaung CBD.
The purpose of the session was to share updates, gather feedback, and outline a coordinated plan for improving and redeveloping these important parts of the city. Previous sessions were attended by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, academic institutions, property owners, business operators, taxi associations, informal traders, and community representatives. “The inner city is still the heart of Mangaung,” says urban planner Johan Olivier, a development specialist from one of the #ProudOfMyTown partners, Ranyaka.
He emphasised that meaningful progress would depend on sustained effort. “Opportunities don’t just happen – it takes work and coordination,” he said. The session was not only hosted to introduce the various stakeholders to one another, but also to encourage collaboration, while creating a platform for sharing ideas on the development of the precinct and other areas in the CBD. “Over the next 24 to 72 months, the programme could deliver a safer, cleaner, better-serviced inner city and CBD, and a stabilised St Georges Precinct.
This will lead to improved investor confidence, visible public-space transformation, and stronger institutional and community ownership,” added Anneke Anker from the Bloemfontein Neighbourhood Association group. The long-term goal is to ensure that the Bloemfontein inner city is productive, inclusive, and an investable city centre that supports economic growth, social cohesion, and municipal financial sustainability. Phase one, which takes effect from 2026 to 2028, will prioritise stabilisation and confidence building. Routine services across the inner city and CBD will include cleaning and waste management, improved lighting and visibility, minor repairs and street marking, enhanced safety presence with incident reporting, and the management of informal trade interfaces.
In addition, priority interventions within the St Georges Precinct will focus on intensified cleaning and maintenance, strengthened CCTV coverage and lighting with a visible safety presence, informal trade regulation and support, student safety and cleanliness programmes, improved public-space management and activation, and partnerships with public transport entities to ensure coordinated revitalisation efforts.
Phases two and three will focus on placedefining investments that reshape perception and unlock private investment. “Priority zones include the Historic Spine (heritage and commercial corridor), Bloemspruit Corridor, the Stadium and Sport Precinct, and key public spaces such as Hoffman Square,” Anker added. Local businesses and residents can find out more about the initiative from Anker at 073 160 4390
