Jozi My Jozi (JMJ)  is a Johannesburg-based non-profit organisation dedicated to collaborating with the City of Johannesburg to revitalise the inner city.

One of JMJ’s flagship projects is the transformation of gateways, which are the main entry points into Johannesburg. These include, but are not limited to, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, Queen Elizabeth Bridge, Empire Road, Jan Smuts Avenue, Carr Street, Smit Street, Rissik Street, Mooi Street, and Charlton Terrace. As the first areas people encounter when entering the city, these gateways play a critical role in shaping the public’s first impressions and overall city experience.

By focusing on the gateways, JMJ addresses immediate concerns such as safety and infrastructure deterioration while contributing to a long-term vision of a more connected, welcoming, and vibrant Johannesburg.

JMJ was officially launched on 18 July 2023, in honour of Nelson Mandela International Day. Appropriately, the first gateway restoration project undertaken in 2024 was the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Originally opened by former President Nelson Mandela on 20 July 2003, the 284-metre bridge — which took two years to complete — spans 42 railway lines and links the historically separated areas of Braamfontein and Newtown. The construction required 4,000 cubic metres of concrete, 1,000 tons of structural steel, and 500 tons of reinforcing steel. Today, it stands as the largest cable-stayed bridge in Southern Africa and has been recognised as “an outstanding civil engineering achievement” by the South African Institute of Civil Engineers.

JMJ’s renovation of the bridge included extensive repairs: broken glass panels from vandalism were replaced, sidewalks and paving were cleaned and restored, and the steel framework repainted. Crash barriers and bollards were installed to improve safety.

As a key pedestrian route, the bridge also received new solar-powered streetlights, with each unit housing its battery, solar panel and LED module in a single structure — with no need for external battery boxes and solar panels.

One of the most visually striking enhancements is the installation of a smart LED lighting system, capable of displaying over a million colours with more than 200 programmable scenes. This dynamic lighting can be remotely managed and scheduled to align with special events, bringing a vibrant energy to the bridge at night.

A particularly transformative feature of the bridge’s upgrade is the addition of public benches. Far from being merely functional, these benches serve as placemaking elements, inviting people to pause, enjoy the views, and connect with one another — turning the bridge from a transit route into a communal destination.

Innocent Mabusela, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Communication at JMJ, explained: “With support from the City of Johannesburg, funding from Absa and Ledvance supplying the solar lights that were installed by DCFT, this project showcases the dynamic impact of public-private partnerships in addressing complex urban challenges. Through our adoption model and community engagement, these gateway projects aim to deliver long-term, meaningful improvements for both residents and visitors alike.”