From world-class Pretoria showgrounds to a dilapidated mess

The City of Tshwane had grand plans to turn the old Pretoria showgrounds into a commercial mixed-use precinct. However, nothing has come of these plans. The Pretoria Show Grounds, which changed its name to the Tshwane Events Centre, was a world-class facility which hosted numerous events. In 2004, for example, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) decided to use its premises as its nerve centre before, during and after the April general elections. However, it has been so neglected and vandalised over the last few years that the IEC had to find a new elections results centre for last year’s elections. Phemelo speaks to MMC Corporate and Shared Services City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.