On Thursday, 11 September 2025, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng will launch its Heritage Month Campaign at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.
This DA campaign aims to highlight how preserving Gauteng’s heritage sites is essential for creating jobs, fighting corruption, ensuring the safety of infrastructure, and improving basic services, all of which are key to building a proud, prosperous, and inclusive Gauteng for all.
The DA has previously raised concerns about the economic losses suffered by Gauteng residents due to the damage and vandalism of heritage sites, such as Walter Sisulu Square, valued at R160 million. Sadly, the situation during our visit last year remained unchanged, with the once vibrant hub of activity continuing to be a haven for criminal activity and urban decay.
As part of the Heritage Month campaign, the DA will reassess the heritage site to determine if damages sustained during the 2021 unrest and beyond have been fixed. Additionally, we will engage business owners and residents in the precinct to understand how crime and infrastructure neglect are affecting livelihoods and the local economy.
The DA Heritage Campaign launch and inspection of Walter Sisulu Square will be led by the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), Kingsol Chabalala MPL. He will be accompanied by:
• DA Gauteng Spokesperson for SACR, Leanne De Jager MPL.
• DA Gauteng SACR Committee Member, Jade Miller MPL.
• DA Shadow MMC for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Lyrics Mazibuko
• DA City of Johannesburg PR Councillor, Cllr Vasco Da Gama.
• DA City of Johannesburg PR Councillor, Cllr Julie Suddaby.
The media is invited to attend, and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Time: 10h30
Meeting point: Walter Sisulu Square, Kliptown, Soweto