In photos: The Nelson Mandela Bridge lights up

14 Mar 2024

Driving by the lit up Nelson Mandela Bridge. Photo: Ryan Enslin.

Jozi My Jozi restores the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge lights. Photo: Mark Straw.

Jozi My Jozi works its magic. Photo: Mark Straw.

On Thu, Mar 7, Jozi My Jozi marked its first landmark project – the restoration of the lights on the Nelson Mandela Bridge, a gateway to the City Centre.

A toxic combination of city mismanagement and neglect, vandalism and theft stripped Joburg’s most important post-apartheid landmark, and for close to four years the area has been left in darkness.

The bridge pays tribute to the rainbow vision of one of the world’s greatest leaders. A rarity in this current political landscape.

We were there for the switch-on, a build-up to the launch of several significant city projects that will be revealed in April. We also managed to invite a clutch of our city people and the Joburg Photowalkers to join us. The new bridge lights are solar-powered, and the bridge is monitored.

It was glorious. Imagine a city where an afternoon walk on the streets ends at the bridge as the lights switch on and the sun dips, spreading gold across the landscape. We’ll continue to dare to dream, along with photographers Mark Straw, Ryan Enslin, Clare Appleyard, Binlesh, and Craig Adams, who captured some of the magic.