Civil Society Brings Life Back to Jozi’s High Court: A Bold Rescue Mission for a Fading Landmark

For years, the Johannesburg High Court precinct has looked tired, lifts often stuck between floors, restrooms in decline, and the streets around Pritchard Street battling grime, broken pavements and a constant feeling of unease.
It has long been a space where the dignity of justice didn’t quite match the decay of the environment that housed it.

But a new partnership is shifting that story.

This month, an unprecedented agreement between the Department of Justice, the Department of Public Works, and civic organisation Jozi My Jozi officially set the city’s biggest court on a path to renewal. And for once, the headlines aren’t about crumbling infrastructure, they’re about hope.

A Historic Pact to Fix What’s Broken

In a rare moment of unity, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Minister Mpumi Zikalala, and Jozi My Jozi chair Prof Maurice Radebe stood together to sign an agreement that essentially says:
If government can’t fix it fast enough, civil society will help get the job done.

For inner-city residents, lawyers, court staff and the thousands who pass through these streets daily, the announcement landed like a breath of fresh Jozi air.

Jozi My Jozi, known for its hands-on activism, has already proven what collaboration can achieve. Their refurbishment of the Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth bridges, removing graffiti, repairing walkways, upgrading lighting and boosting security, became one of the city’s most celebrated urban victories.

Now, they’re taking on one of Johannesburg’s most important buildings.

What Will Be Fixed? A Lot. Tens of Millions’ Worth.

The scale of the project is huge. Jozi My Jozi CEO Bea Swanepoel put it plainly:
“No mission is too big for us.”

Inside the court building:

• Broken lifts refurbished

• Properly functioning ablution facilities

• Backup water storage

• Power and air-conditioning solutions

• Adequate seating

• Safety and accessibility improvements

Outside the court:

• Cleaning and upgrading the precinct

• Improving safety around Pritchard, Von Wielligh and Von Brandis streets

• Urban management to ensure long-term maintenance

This is not a R500 000 patch-up job.
The work will run into the tens of millions, and the organisation is confident it can raise the money, with corporate partners already offering support.

Why This Matters: It’s About Access to Justice

The Johannesburg High Court isn’t just an old building. It’s one of the beating hearts of the constitutional order a place where landmark rulings have shaped the country’s democracy.

Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, said this partnership is unique because it focuses on strengthening access to justice through infrastructure. The justice system needs R1.6 billion in upgrades nationwide this financial year, money government simply doesn’t have.

That’s why Jozi My Jozi’s intervention is being welcomed as a lifeline.

“This is a model of partnership that is impactful and aligned with the broader goal of improving access to justice,” Manase said.

Social Reaction: ‘Finally, Something Worth Celebrating’

On social media, Joburg residents often worn down by stories of municipal neglect, responded with rare optimism:

• “If Jozi My Jozi can fix the court like they fixed the bridges, I’m all in.”

• “Civil society is doing what the city hasn’t done in years.”

• “Hope this becomes the blueprint for other buildings including our post offices.”

Still, some remained cautious:

• “Great start. But will it be maintained after the ribbon-cutting?”

In a city where big announcements often fade into dust, the skepticism is familiar, but the excitement is real.

A Look Back: The Court With a Century of Stories

The Johannesburg High Court’s history reads like a snapshot of South Africa’s own evolution.

• Established as part of the Witwatersrand Local Division, the court has roots stretching back to the 1870s.

• Its Edwardian architecture from 1904, later upgraded to an Art Deco style in 1932, remains a cornerstone of Gandhi Square’s architectural heritage.

• Inside its 42 courtrooms 18 of them criminal courts some of the country’s most defining cases were heard, including:

  • S v Makwanyane (1995) abolishing the death penalty

  • Rail Commuters Action Group v Transnet (2004) protecting commuter rights

  • Mohamed v President of the RSA (2001) challenging extradition to countries with capital punishment

  • The chilling Daisy de Melker trial (1932)

The building has survived wars, political upheaval and decades of urban decay. That it is now being restored by the people who live and work in its city feels fitting, a modern chapter in a long and layered history.

A Fresh Angle: Proof That Joburg’s Revival Won’t Come From Government Alone

What makes this moment refreshing is that it shows a shift in mindset:
the future of Johannesburg depends on partnerships, not politics.

Jozi My Jozi, with its 146 partners and growing network, has become a symbol of a new era one where communities, corporates, NGOs and government share the responsibility of rebuilding the country’s economic engine.

As Swanepoel put it,
“If it benefits the people of Joburg, it’s worth doing.”

A full technical investigation begins next, with construction likely taking place during court recesses to avoid disruptions. Transparency, procurement rules and due diligence are all locked into the agreement.

It may take months even years to complete the transformation. But for Joburg, a city that bleeds potential, the Johannesburg High Court revitalisation is more than a facelift.

It’s a sign that when civic power meets political will, even Jozi’s most neglected corners can shine again.

And that, in the city of gold, is exactly the kind of story people have been waiting to hear.

{Source: The Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com