By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Ride-hailing company inDrive is funding the development of a new public park in Naledi, Soweto.
The Nape Street Park project will be developed in three phases, with completion targeted for July 2028. The first phase is valued at about R6.4 million.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony on Tuesday, Joburg Mayor Dada Morero said the agreement with inDrive and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) includes a maintenance and security plan overseen by the donors, while the city will retain responsibility for public facility.
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Morero told Inside Metros that inDrive would work with the city throughout construction and for the next five years, helping ensure the park was properly maintained once completed.
“That will allow us to look at how we maintain and look after the park and once it’s handed over,” Morero said.
In his keynote address at the sod turning, Morero said that private investment did not absolve the municipality of its responsibilities to residents.
“Let me be clear about the City’s role. Johannesburg retains its responsibilities for public spaces, and JCPZ remains the custodian of this park. We must provide oversight, uphold public access and remain accountable to residents. The contribution of a partner strengthens what we can achieve together; it does not remove those duties.”
The park will eventually include a jogging track, shaded outdoor gym and playground areas, park furniture, a full-size soccer field and a junior multi-court.
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A bandstand and amphitheatre area will provide space for spectators and community gatherings.
Morero said the city was exploring other partnerships to develop and maintain recreational facilities, drawing on arrangements that had proved successful elsewhere.
“To corporate South Africa, I extend an invitation today. Follow the example of inDrive. Bring your resources, expertise and long-term commitment to the greening of Johannesburg, especially in communities where the need is greatest.”
He also said that community involvement would be essential to ensuring the park remained usable and safe.
“Community involvement must work alongside dependable municipal service and the maintenance and security arrangements this partnership provides.”
He said residents would also need to protect the equipment, report damage and help prevent vandalism and illegal dumping.
The project is expected to provide some employment and business opportunities during construction, with a commitment to using local labour, expertise and suitable services wherever possible.
Morero cautioned that these opportunities would need to be communicated fairly and realistically.
“We must be honest about the duration and scale of opportunities while ensuring that local participation is meaningful and that the finished work meets the standards residents deserve.”
City of Johannesburg MMC for Community Development Thapelo Amad said the investment would bring recreational facilities closer to Naledi residents, many of whom previously had to travel to other parts of Johannesburg to enjoy similar amenities.
“No longer will these residents spend most of their leisure time, travelling to enjoy world class recreation.”
Amad appealed to residents to work with the contractors and help ensure that the development was completed on schedule and within budget.
“Let us all work tirelessly during and post the development, to protect the equipment, care for the trees, prevent dumping and ensure that everyone feels happy and carefree in the new park”
He said public participation would be critical to the long-term success of the development, while particular attention should be paid to ensuring the facility remained safe and accessible to girls and young women.
“Girls and boys must feel safe and enjoy equal access to every opportunity this new landmark will bring.”
inDrive country representative Ashif Black said businesses had a responsibility to collaborate with communities and government, even where public funding was unavailable.
He said the company’s investment reflected its commitment to opposing inequality and giving back to communities that had supported its growth.
“We want fair fairness and freedom. At the end of the day, communities have been supporting our businesses to grow,” Black said.
He said the park was intended to become a safe space where children and families could gather, develop their talents and create lasting memories.
Black said the development was inDrive’s first investment in a park, but added: “I assure you there’s more partnership and collaboration coming between the private sector and government. And we at inDrive, of course, we want to be there.”
