Johannesburg High Court Revitalisation
Jozi My Jozi is calling on the private sector to help fund the restoration and rejuvenation of the Johannesburg High Court building
Let's get to work
Jozi My Jozi is calling on the private sector to help fund the restoration and rejuvenation of the Johannesburg High Court building, a project expected to cost R360-million.
The appeal was made by Jozi My Jozi chairman Professor Maurice Radebe at an event held in Johannesburg on Thursday evening. The event was attended by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, Deputy Chief Justice Dunstan Mlambo, Acting Deputy Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court Lebogang Modiba and retired Deputy Judge President (Gauteng Division) Roland Sutherland.
“Revitalising the court building and its surrounding precinct is an important project in itself, but what it symbolises is vital – the reaffirmation of all South Africans’ constitutional right to justice,” said Radebe.
“When we think of that right, we often think first of crime and the right to a fair trial in a public court. But equally important is the right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. In fact, our Constitution does not express the right to justice as a standalone right, but separates it into the right of access to courts and the right to administrative justice. For both of those rights to be realised, we need well-functioning court buildings that offer dignity to all who use them.”
The stakes are high
Without a properly functioning building, South Africans’ right to justice is compromised by delays, such as those caused by water shortages that forced the court to close in February 2025. In 2023, parts of the court were declared a severe safety risk, and in some cases a “death trap”, following internal and municipal fire safety inspections. If a fire broke out and consumed court records, that would also have a severe impact on the administration of justice.
Minister Macpherson said the Johannesburg High Court is one of the great institutions of South African democracy. Ensuring it is accessible to all and that it functions optimally sends a clear message that the rule of law is important.
“The story of the Johannesburg High Court is the story of citizens and government coming together for a higher purpose – to deliver the judgment that Johannesburg deserves: that is, its success,” he said.
Funding will go towards structural maintenance of the building’s internal systems: mechanical and electrical repairs and upgrades, finishes, ablution facilities, lifts, and proper seating across the court’s 42 courtrooms, 18 of which are designated for criminal matters. Back-up water storage, back-up electrical power and back-up air conditioning are needed to insulate court proceedings from service interruptions. Financial support is also being sought for a modernised security layer inside the building.
Let us cook
Jozi My Jozi has appointed Henry Fagan Consulting Engineers & Project Managers to project-manage the court’s refurbishment. The company is a design- and project management-focused, 100% black-owned firm with more than 40 years of industry experience. Over the years, it has contributed to several significant and high-profile projects, including the Parliament precinct, Cape Town Stadium, the refurbishment of the Castle of Good Hope and work at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The director of programme management and project management officer at Henry Fagan, Shaun McFarlane, said the firm is “extremely excited” to partner with Jozi My Jozi on the Johannesburg High Court’s restoration.
“The true test will come after the ribbons are cut,” he said. “We hope to breathe new life into this great city.”
Minister Macpherson said what is most impressive about Jozi My Jozi’s efforts to revitalise the Johannesburg city centre is that the organisation has “turned civic pride into action”. Its restoration of the Nelson Mandela Bridge, in partnership with Absa, and of the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, in partnership with First National Bank, and its hosting of the Main Street Sundays open-street festivals, and more, show that “decline doesn’t have to be inevitable”.
“Something special is happening in Johannesburg; the sentiment is changing,” he said. “If Johannesburg can get back on its feet again, it can reach for the stars.”
What partners will be backing
The implementation plan is phased so that the court does not have to relocate, and Jozi My Jozi intends to schedule as much of the disruptive work as possible during court recess periods.
Because the building is a heritage asset, no major structural implementation will begin until a stage 1 technical assessment (an initial scoping and desktop study phase) has been completed. This assessment will include condition audits and proposed interventions, and will inform both the sequencing and the final scope of the work.
A closed request for proposal has been issued to specialist professional teams and submissions are under evaluation by a cross-functional review panel. The appointed team to carry out the technical assessment will be announced in due course.
The project is being coordinated by the Jozi My Jozi project management office, giving funders a single point of accountability for delivery.
Deputy Judge President Mlambo described Jozi My Jozi as “a true partner to the bench” and urged the private sector to invest in the Johannesburg High Court revitalisation project. “This is an investment in the rule of law,” he said.
How to support the project
In encouraging private sector funding, Professor Radebe said, “There are many worthy causes competing for the attention and resources of government and business. But some investments are about more than the immediate return. Some investments are about the kind of society we want to build. This is one of those investments.
“We are asking you to invest in the rule of law, the dignity of citizens, the independence and effectiveness of our justice institutions, and ultimately, the constitutional promise of South Africa.”
Companies, foundations and individuals who would like to pledge their support and contribute to the funding of the project can contact Jozi My Jozi at contactus@jozimyjozi.com.
