Randburg has seen better days, and it has seen worse ones too. The central business district went through a rough patch, but things are turning around. Here is a look at what happened, and why Randburg’s business future looks brighter now.
What Went Wrong in Randburg’s CBD
Randburg was once one of the few decentralised office nodes in Johannesburg. That means businesses could set up here instead of needing an address in the city centre. For a while, that worked well.
Then, in the 1980s, office parks started popping up further north. These new developments came with private security, landscaped grounds, and plenty of parking. Randburg’s CBD could not compete easily. Businesses began moving out.
Around the same time, the mini-bus taxi industry moved into the area. This changed the character of the CBD further. Offices and shops that once anchored the area started to struggle, and buildings fell into disrepair. Litter built up. Public spaces lost their shine. It became harder to convince people that Randburg was still worth visiting.
Early Efforts to Turn Things Around
The City of Johannesburg noticed the decline too. As far back as 1997, a revitalisation strategy was drawn up for the Randburg business district. Later, the Johannesburg Development Agency put together a three-year urban revival plan, aimed at bringing business and investment back.
The goals were simple to state, if harder to achieve. A clean, safe, and attractive environment. Better pedestrian and vehicle flow. More investment. More reasons for people to spend their money in Randburg instead of somewhere else.
Progress was slow. There were attempts to start a City Improvement District for Randburg, but these did not succeed at first. One earlier management district even folded following legal issues in 2015. Momentum was hard to build and even harder to keep.
A New Push, Backed by Local Business
Members of the Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry kept the idea alive. They studied what worked in other parts of Johannesburg, where over 35 City Improvement Districts already operate successfully. They connected with the Gauteng Precinct Management Association to learn from that experience.
This work led to the founding of the Randburg Precinct Management District (RPMD) in 2024. RPMD opened its doors on 1 August that year, working out of office space at Centrepoint, next to Shoprite. RPMD has since moved into its current office at Unit 04, Ridgeview Office Park, 248 Kent Avenue, off Republic Road, Ferndale. From there, the real work began.
A security sweep of the area came first. Then came the clean-up, starting with the Hill Street Pedestrian Walkway. RPMD has since built partnerships with local authorities and secured support from nearby businesses, all working toward the same goal: a Randburg that feels safe and looks cared for again.
Why This Matters for Local Business
A clean and safe CBD is not just about appearances. It is about business too. When an area looks neglected, footfall drops. When footfall drops, shops and offices struggle to stay open. It becomes a difficult cycle to break.
The reverse is also true. As public spaces improve, more people choose to visit, shop, and do business in the area. Property values tend to follow. Vacancy rates tend to fall. This is the pattern RPMD is working toward, one street at a time.
What Progress Looks Like So Far
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1997 | First formal revitalisation strategy drawn up for Randburg |
| 2015 | Earlier Randburg management district closes after legal issues |
| 2024 | RPMD founded, opens office at Centrepoint on 1 August |
| 2024 onward | RPMD moves to current office at Ridgeview Office Park, Ferndale |
| 2024 onward | Security sweep and clean-up of Hill Street Walkway begins |
| Ongoing | Partnerships built with local authorities and businesses |
Looking Ahead
Randburg’s business community has been here before, with plans that did not always stick. What feels different now is the coordination between local business owners, residents, and the RPMD itself. That kind of shared effort tends to last longer than any single plan on its own.
For more background on Randburg’s revitalisation journey, see the Johannesburg Development Agency’s overview of the area’s history as a business node.
Help Write Randburg’s Next Chapter
A safer, cleaner Randburg benefits everyone who works, shops, or lives here.
Contact us to find out how your business can get involved.
