Tshwane claimed it is one of the cleanest cities in the world, rivaling Japan. We take a look.

Tshwane’s Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise recently claimed that the capital is “now in the race for the title of the cleanest city, rivaling even Japan!”

“After we took power in the executive, our priority was to clean the city and we are on the correct path and this achievement is a testament to our collective commitment to stewardship,” he added.

Although some progress is evident, particularly in the Pretoria CBD, those working in Tshwane’s most polluted communities argue that the claims are detached from reality.

They added that these claims overlook the city’s deep-rooted environmental challenges, indicating that it still has a long road ahead.

“While aspirations to position Tshwane among the cleanest cities in the world are commendable, the reality on the ground presents a very different picture,” said Tarryn Johnston, founder of Hennops Revival.

Her nonprofit, focused on restoring the Hennops River, one of the most polluted in Gauteng, has removed over five million kilograms of waste from a single stretch of the river in Centurion over the past few years.

Despite these efforts, the Hennops remains choked by raw sewage, industrial runoff, and illegal dumping.

These problems, Johnston says, are worsened by municipal inaction and the collapse of basic services in many areas.

“It’s not just about removing waste. Environmental cleanliness is about systemic change, education, and sustainable service delivery,” she said, something Tshwane is not close to achieving yet.

Similar frustrations echo in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, where the Soulbent Project, a community-led cleanup initiative, sees over 80 volunteers working twice weekly to clean their neighbourhood.

Supported by proceeds from two small vegetable gardens, the project is a beacon of grassroots action.

Founder and CEO Mashudu Makhado lamented that “instead of backing our efforts, some city officials see us as a threat to their own recognition.”

“They’d rather our area be dirty than not be praised.”

The riverbank of the Hennops River in Centurion, Tshwane.

A river running through Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo, Japan.

Global rankings and data

According to global consultancy Mercer Eco-City, the world’s cleanest cities are ranked based on water quality, waste management, air pollution, and traffic efficiency.

Copenhagen, Denmark, tops the list, known for its eco-friendly policies and extensive bicycle use.

Singapore, Asia’s cleanest city, is lauded for its “Clean and Green Policy” and efficient waste and water management.

Tokyo, Japan, excels with world-class waste systems and public transport rooted in a culture of cleanliness.

Other leading cities include Zurich, Switzerland; Oslo, Norway; Auckland, New Zealand; Adelaide, Australia; Calgary, Canada; and Honolulu, Hawaii: all demonstrating advanced sustainability practices ranging from electric mobility to climate action plans.

Yet Tshwane is noticeably absent from these rankings. When evaluated against similar criteria, it faces considerable challenges.

While Tshwane’s air quality is rated as “moderate” (AQI 56), with pollution levels generally below World Health Organisation thresholds, industrial areas like Pretoria West and Rosslyn experience repeated spikes.

Water quality presents a graver issue. A 2023 cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal was traced to contaminated water sourced from the Roodeplaat Dam.

Although the new Klipdrift Water Treatment Works has improved supply reliability, infrastructure breakdowns and water contamination persist.

In Bronkhorstspruit, residents frequently report discoloured, undrinkable water worsened by heavy rains and overwhelmed treatment plants.

Reports from the South African Human Rights Commission and Green Drop audits confirm widespread failure at wastewater treatment facilities across the city.

Sewage leaks continue to pollute rivers like the Hennops.

Illegal dumping also remains a pressing issue. The City of Tshwane identified over 600 illegal dumping sites in 2019.

The municipality allocates approximately R30 million annually to combat illegal dumping through enforcement and cleanup initiatives.

A 2023 study in similar low-income communities found that 58% of residents improperly dispose of household waste, mainly due to non-collection.

Despite enforcement efforts and campaigns like the #Rekaofela initiative promoting responsible waste management, illegal dumping and littering remain persistent problems impacting health and urban cleanliness.

Volunteers of the Soulbent Project working to clean up masses of illegal dumping in Atteridgeville

Downtown Tokyo, Japan, where litter is an abnormality.

Meaningful action needed

Johnston cautioned that “for true transformation, leadership must go beyond surface-level declarations and political rhetoric.”

“Genuine action is needed to educate and empower communities, ensuring that cleanliness is not just an enforced expectation but an accessible reality.”

“Empty promises must be replaced with consistent services and infrastructure that support residents in maintaining safe, hygienic spaces,” she added.

She also emphasised that environmental cleanliness is inextricably linked to community well-being.

Even in areas where litter is cleared, public spaces often remain unsafe, particularly for children and families, due to deeper social issues that require urgent attention.

“We remain committed to our efforts, hopeful that meaningful change will come. But aspirations must be grounded in reality,” she said.

“Without a strategic, inclusive approach to waste management, education, and community safety, such comparisons to global benchmarks remain aspirational rather than achievable.”

BusinessTech reached out to the Tshwane Deputy Mayor, as well as the MMC for Environment and Agriculture to unpack their plans, but to no avail.

Photos from around Tshwane, taken in June 2025