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Community Clean-Up
The 67-minute clean-up marks the first step in a longer-term effort to restore and revitalise one of Soweto’s iconic public spaces. A 67-minute community clean-up at Mofolo Park has marked the beginning of an ongoing refurbishment initiative, bringing together Soweto Tourism, BetCity, Versus Paint, local creatives and community representatives.
Held on 31 July, the Mofolo Park Community Day was more than a clean-up. It marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to identify and support practical improvements to the park and its iconic Dome, a space with a long history of performances, community gatherings and cultural expression.
The 67-minute clean-up allowed partners and community members to take immediate action while highlighting the wider need to restore pride in and care for the public space.
Thato Mothopeng, Chairman of Soweto Tourism, said the initiative was about turning conversation into action.
“Mofolo Park is part of Soweto’s story. It belongs to the people, and looking after it requires all of us to play a role. The Community Day gave us an opportunity to start doing that in a practical way while looking towards what comes next.”
The initiative brought together partners with different areas of expertise. BetCity supported the community activation, while Versus Paint contributed paint and products to the initiative. Renowned artist Senzo also contributed creative expertise to discussions around the visual upliftment of the Dome.
For BetCity, the initiative reflects the importance of supporting communities through practical, collaborative action.
Shivika Singh from BetCity said: “We believe in showing up in ways that are meaningful, respectful and collaborative. Mofolo Park is an important community facility, and this was an opportunity to stand alongside Soweto Tourism, local creatives and the community to take practical action.”
The Community Day is intended to be the starting point for a broader refurbishment journey, with partners exploring phased opportunities to improve the Dome and surrounding Mofolo Park precinct. The next phase will focus on identifying practical opportunities for improvement while encouraging continued involvement from community organisations, businesses, creatives and other stakeholders invested in the future of the space. For Soweto Tourism, the ambition extends beyond the physical refurbishment of the park.
“This is about restoring pride, preserving heritage and creating a future in which Soweto’s public facilities are valued, activated and cared for,” said Mothopeng.
Mofolo Park has long been part of Soweto’s cultural and community landscape. The partners involved in the initiative hope that the first 67 minutes of action will become the beginning of a much longer commitment to restoring, activating and protecting the space for future generations.
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