Joburg’s CBD came alive in first Main Street Sundays

by | Apr 15, 2026

Main Street in Johannesburg transformed into a car-free zone, inviting people to take back the city centre through art, community, cycling and music.  

  • Johannesburg reimagined its city centre, as Main Street closed to cars and reclaimed by the people.
  • Music, art, cycling and children’s activities filled the streets, creating a sense of community, safety and connection.
  • Inspired by cities globally, Main Street Sundays is part of an experiment to revitalise the city .

On Sunday, April 12, Johannesburg reimagined how we can experience the city. What is usually jammed with traffic, became a space for walking, cycling, art and connection. The initiative was led by Jozi My Jozi in partnership with Young Urbanists. For one full day Main Street in Marshalltown was closed to motor vehicles and belonged to the people.   

There was something happening on every corner. Music played, book clubs met in the open, art filled the streets, people skated, played games and searched the stalls. It was more than just a street closure, it was a reclaiming of public space from cars.  

“Our mission is to bring people back to the city,” said Jozi My Jozi Education Workstream Coordinator, Senty Maphosa. “Let’s relove, let’s reimagine what the city could look like.”  

Globally, cars dominate 80% of public space. But as Thandile Manyifolo, BA Architecture Student and Deputy Chairperson of the Jozi My Jozi Chapter at Wits University reminds us, “urban spaces were designed for people to live in. If people come secondary to that, are they really fulfilling their purpose?”   

Organisers emphasised that reclaiming the streets is not just about daytime activities but also creating more opportunities and innovation for young people into the evenings. 

The event offered a glimpse into how urban space can return to being people centric. Children played freely, with a programme created in partnership with Play Africa, the day included interactive learning activities, face painting, chalk art, sports and a gallery.  

People felt at ease, walking around taking photos on their phones, dancing and laughing.  There was a sense of belonging. “Today is all about community, it’s all about collaboration and it’s all about bringing back a sense of pride and inspiring people,” said Maphosa.  

Jozi My Jozi is reimagining Joburg’s CBD. Photo: Hannah Brown
A game of table tennis is held on the street. Photo: Hannah Brown
Kids area in partnership with Play Africa. Photo: Hannah Brown
As Main Street closed to cars, cyclists rode through the CBD. Photo: Hannah Brown
A music group performs at the event. Photo: Hannah Brown
Skateboarders took to the city streets, performing tricks. Photo: Hannah Brown
Visitors play a game of foosball. Photo: Hannah Brown
Jozi My Jozi signs during Main Street Sundays. Photo: Hannah Brown

Inspired by cities including Bogotá, Paris and Cape Town’s Bree Street. The event is part of a larger experiment to revitalise the city, reimagine the use of urban space and see what happens when streets are closed to cars and given to pedestrians.  

For Johannesburg, Main Street Sundays was the first of what many hope will become a regular event. “We are starting something that will have a domino effect in the long term to open up the streets of Jozi, not just Main Street, but the entirety of the city,” said Manyifolo.   

It showed us what Joburg can feel like, where the city is not just a place to quickly pass through, but one where we can come together, connect and move safely. 

FEATURED IMAGE: Cyclist from the Sentech Croozers rides a stance bike at Main Street Sundays. Photo: Hannah Brown

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