​On Wednesday, 28 May 2025, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) Central Corridor, in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, brought government services directly to the people through an Open Day in the heart of the Joburg CBD.

Held at the bustling intersection of Lilian Ngoyi and Bree Street, the initiative targeted both residents and commuters, making it easy for the public to access vital information and services on the go.

 
Tokisi Manamela, Stakeholder Relations official at GDSD, explained the purpose behind the outreach: “The Open Day is part of our ongoing efforts to bring government services closer to the people. It is critical that all spheres of government collaborate to improve the lives of our communities,” he said.

 
Maria Malatjie from the City of Johannesburg Emergency Medical Services (EMS) highlighted their focus on fire safety awareness during this time of year. “We are conducting fire safety campaigns to educate residents on fire prevention and emergency response,” she said.


“We also visit spaza shops to promote fire safety compliance. Once businesses meet the requirements, we issue compliance certificates.”


Zandi Khanye, Grant Administrator from SASSA’s Johannesburg Region, encouraged grant beneficiaries to respond to calls for reviews. “We are currently reviewing beneficiaries' financial statuses. Those who qualify are urged to visit our offices to ensure their grants are updated and reinstated,” she noted.

 
Various Departments joined the Open Day, including Home Affairs, SASSA, the Department of Labour, and the City of Johannesburg, offering on-site consultations and support to residents.

 
This inner-city Open Day reflected government’s commitment to accessibility, cross-departmental collaboration, and proactive service delivery, meeting the people where they are.