Media statement 3 October 2023
Cllr Kingsley Wakelin
MMC for Corporate and Shared Services
The City of Tshwane has grand plans to turn the old Pretoria showgrounds into a commercial mixed-use precinct with a hotel and conferencing, retail, office and residential opportunities.
In June 2022, Council gave approval for the showgrounds to be put out on an open and competitive bidding process to any developer who will lease it and realise the City’s vision for the property. This lease will be a 50-year term to allow developers to make significant investments in the property that would benefit the City and its residents for years to come.
To make the property attractive to developers, the City is busy with consolidation and rezoning processes to get the best bids possible. Development will then take place as soon as the winning developer is announced. The bidding process will be open and fair, and no trace of corruption will be tolerated. This development must be above board and in the best interest of residents at all times.
These plans are envisioned to turn the showgrounds into a leading events venue that unlocks the development potential of the property and provides much-needed economic development and job opportunities for Tshwane residents.
It must be noted that between 1995 and 2021 the property was under the management of the Tshwane Business and Agricultural Corporation, which unfortunately allowed it to fall into ruin, forcing us to take the property back to save it from further decay.
Currently, the property is being guarded by private security companies contracted to the City. These companies have been negligent in their duties, which has resulted in littering and vandalism on the property. The City will put the security companies on terms to revise their guards and beef up security so that the showgrounds remain an attractive and viable investment opportunity.
Furthermore, we will start with refurbishments to prepare the property for short-term rentals. This will help the City derive some benefits while the consolidation and rezoning processes conclude, as these can take more than a year.
One of the potential rentals is the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), who have shown interest in using the property as a base for the 2024 general elections and leasing a portion of the property long term for the 2026 local government elections. We welcome the IEC’s proposal and are committed to making it happen.
I would like to invite all interested developers to reach out to Group Property with any queries and to look out for the publishing of the tender.
We are determined to unlock all development potential in the City to promote economic growth and job opportunities and make the City of Tshwane a City that works for all.
Enquiries:
MMC Kingsley Wakelin