City of Johannesburg

Johannesburg Development Agency

No 3 Helen Joseph Street PO Box 61877 Tel +27(0) 11 688 7851 (O)
The Bus Factory Marshalltown Fax +27(0) 11 688 7899/63
Newtown 2107 E-mail: info@jda.org.za
Johannesburg, 2000

www.jda.org.za
www.joburg.org.za

To: All news editors

For immediate release,
26 September 2019

BRUMA LAKE: MORE THAN AN ENVIRONMENTAL UPGRADE

The City of Johannesburg’s investment in the Bruma Lake rehabilitation, undertaken by

Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), remains a shining beacon of how environmental
rehabilitations and upgrades can be a catalyst for attracting private investment, unlocking
development potential, stimulating local economies, while improving the environment and
the quality of life of residents.

This World Environment Health Day, 26 September, a day which celebrates positive
environmental action and creating health-supportive environments, we focus on the impact
of the Bruma Lake environment rehabilitation has had on the community.

Directors
M Ntanga (Chairperson) D Cohen (Acting CEO) S Moonsamy (CFO) S Jensma TG Sambo JW Karuri -Sebina EF Peters K Govender A Steyn P Zagaretos R Shirinda (Company Secretary)
Registration Number: 2001/005101/07
A LAKE IN CRISIS

Bruma Lake (now a river) was an articial water impoundment, meaning that it was not a
natural lake, rather it was man-made. It was designed as a central feature for the Bruma
commercial scene. The lake was constructed in-stream to intercept the natural watercourse
and the flow of water from the upstream catchment.

Over several years Bruma Lake began experiencing, environmental problems of pollution
and siltation as it was exposed to a variety of pollutants, many of them being man-made
(anthropogenic), such as organic waste, litter, fuels, wastewater and sewage originating
from other streams. As a result, the lake degenerated and became a health hazard, having
a negative impact on residents, the economic node and businesses around the area.

A number of interventions, including the installation of solar-power floaters, to rejuvenate the

lake were undertaken only to succeed temporarily at best so the City decided to undertake
an entire rehabilitation of the area.

TURNING THE LAKE INTO A RIVER

In recognition of the severity of the problem, the Environmental Management Department

has undertaken a range of interventions to address the problems as well as to develop a
plan for sustainable restoration and rehabilitation of the lake. The JDA was appointed as the
implementing agent for this project on behalf of the City of Johannesburg.

Several surveys were undertaken by the City and the JDA to tackle the problem in Bruma
Lake and it was resolved that the lake would go through a process of reclamation and
reinstatement of the grassed channel, with parklands on either side of the lake, returning it
to a normal watercourse. This process is a good example of using natural systems and
materials in place of concrete channels and pipes. This allows for more natural habitats and
migration patterns for local wildlife.

To do this, the lake was drained and the silt was dried. Then, the Jukskei River was diverted
away from the lake’s centre while the existing river channel was constructed. The water was
diverted back into the channel, and open green space was landscaped alongside the new
river.

In order to undertake the rehabilitation, consultation with a number of stakeholders including

both provincial and national authorities, the Bruma business community and the general
public had to be met. The rehabilitation process also had to satisfy certain legislation
requirements and be agreed upon by relevant stakeholders, in addition to adhering to the
City of Johannesburg’s waste management by-laws.

UPGRADING OF BRUMA LAKE BRIDGE

As part of the Bruma Lake rehabilitation process, JDA also intervened in the rehabilitation of
the Bruma Lake Bridge, constructed in the 1980s as a link to access the Bruma Lifestyle
Centre area over??? the Jukskei River.

The bridge, which still maintains its original architectural design, is seen as one of the iconic
features of the Johannesburg East area and a sentimental artefact to the local Bruma
community and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The bridge is mostly used by pedestrians and has remained in its original state since its first
opening. The exterior brick of the bridge was removed, revealing the steel underneath which
adds to its aesthetic appeal.
UNLOCKING DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

Following the upgrade of Bruma Lake, the area is now reflective of the new spatial vision for
the City in line with its Growth and Development Strategy 2040, based on the concept of
corridor Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

Through this approach, it is envisaged that the growth of the future city will be guided
towards well-planned transport arterials, with a focus on mixed-use developments, higher
density residential accommodation, supported by office buildings, retail development and
opportunities for leisure and recreation clustered along these routes

Bruma Lake is today an economic node that is integrated into the Louis Botha Corridor and
is a people centered space, with recreational, commercial and other uses. Various private
sector businesses are invested in the area including, City Lodge Hotel, Bruma Lodge,
Lakeview Apartments and Zone Fitness Gym.

NOW LITTERED WITH ARTWORK & NO LONGER RUBBISH

Bruma Lake today is no longer an artificial water impoundment which was designed as a
central feature for the Bruma commercial node but a renewed eco-friendly space boasting
artworks. The artworks around park were implemented by the City of Johannesburg through
the JDA.

In 2019, workshops were held with learners from Queens High School’s Grade 12 Art Class
and Cyrildene Primary School’s Grade 6 Class.

In these workshops, the park was discussed and the students created images, motifs and
colour schemes that they would like to see in the park. Graphic Designer and Illustrator,
Zebulon Chuenyane, was commissioned to create the patterns and colour schemes seen
around the park using the content from the learner workshops as inspiration for the imagery.

Educational panels along the park, which include information about the river, former lake,
birds, trees and history of the park were also installed. These information panels were
written by Sithembiso Mdlalose and the illustrations and design of the panels were by
Zebulon Chuenyane.

Issued by:
Johannesburg Development Agency
Susan Monyai
Email: smonyai@jda.org.za