Telkom Tower to open to the public?

·22 Sep 2014

Telkom says it is investigating ways in which it can re-open its Telkom Tower in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, to the public, as it recognizes it’s iconic relevance and importance to the city.

“We are actively, at the moment, looking of ways in which we could look at re-opening the tower in some form or other, to the public in the future,” Telkom chief procurement officer, Ian Russell told Talk Radio 702.

Russell noted that the tower remains an important part of the group’s infrastructure. “Firstly we need to make sure that we keep the tower operationally safe and secure,” he said.

The tower, stretching 269 metres into the Johannesburg city skyline, is recognised as the tallest structure in Africa – and the 58th tallest tower in the world. It was built in 1970 and 1971, and was last open to the public in 1981.

Russel pointed out that safety regulations have moved on since that time, which would factor into the process, if the tower were to re-open to tourists.

Getting visitors in and out of the site through a congested part of Hillbrow was also a barrier to overcome, Russell said.

The executive said that all three issues – operation, regulation and security – could be overcome, which is why the company has decided to re-visit its opening.

“We are going to be inviting the public to get involved in this conversation over the coming months in terms of what would the public like to use the tower for, and how could we do something with it in the future,” Russell told Talk Radio 702.

He said that Telkom would need to consult with the relevant authorities, but likened the tower to the Empire State Building in New York as a potential future tourist destination.