Latest news with #CityofJohannesburg
Eyewitness News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
CoJ allocates more than R5bn to address water challenges over next three years
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has allocated more than R5 billion to be spent over the next three years to address water supply challenges. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds announced this allocation during her maiden budget speech in council on Wednesday morning. READ: City of Joburg's Finance MMC tables R89bn budget The R5 billion capital injection to Johannesburg Water will be channelled towards addressing infrastructure failures and pipe replacements. Arnolds said the money wold also go towards funding major wastewater treatment plants in the metro. "The city will also invest in smart pressure management systems and digital leak detection tools, reducing water loss and increasing service reliability." She expanded further on how the cash would be put to use. "Targeted water pipe replacements in high-leakage zones to reduce non-revenue water, new sewer connections to informal settlements and densified townships, international DFI financing for upgrade of leaking reservoirs and towers, which also contributes to reduced losses."
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
WATCH: Music and smiles at Crown Gardens tea day
Senior citizens at Crown Gardens Recreation Centre enjoyed International Tea Day with stakeholders, including the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), the private sector, higher education institutions, SAPS and locals on May 21. They were treated like kings and queens, with waiters on call. The day's presentation included many items. Speaker after speaker talked about ageing gracefully, empowerment in your later years, and watching out for scams. Activities for the day included health checks, legal advice, podiatry, chiropractic, social services, massages, fun games and entertainment. Welcoming the guests and outlining the purpose of the day, Carmen Winnaar from the CoJ said International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. They adopted the resolution on December 21, 2019. Ward 54 Clr Marais Stuart said this day is special for the seniors. VIDEO 'This day is also in honour of the late Felicia, who wanted to do Tea Day with the residents of the south. In memory of her, we did this. Thank you to the team who put all this together. You must all have a lovely day and enjoy yourselves; there are cakes to indulge in,' he said. On the topic of CoJ's 'A City that Cares', Meshack Maluleke, regional manager of Social Development in Region F, emphasised that senior citizens are the best, and the city appreciates them. 'As a caring city, we will give you access to services. We will support you in your needs. Get healthy and exercise to live longer. We urge you to register for rebates. You paid tax for many years in your lives, now it is time for the city to give back,' he said. Maluleke also implored the young people to be volunteers at old-age homes. 'You must be friends with them to assist whenever they need help; be mindful of them,' he noted. Sponsors and partners of the day included Lee's Beauty Clinic, Lois du Plessis (singer and actress in House of Zwide), SPAR Ormonde and Ridgeway, Sasol Swartgoud, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F, Community Development, social development and sport and recreation Departments, Pick n Pay in The Glen Shopping Centre, UJ Chiropractor Department, UJ Law Clinic, UJ Podiatry Department, SAPS Johannesburg district, Support Those in Need Together, Clicks and Twenty 21 Holdings. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
WATCH: Crown Gardens sips, sings and celebrates
Senior citizens at Crown Gardens Recreation Centre enjoyed International Tea Day with stakeholders, including the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), the private sector, higher education institutions, SAPS and locals on May 21. They were treated like kings and queens, with waiters on call. The day's presentation included many items. Speaker after speaker talked about ageing gracefully, empowerment in your later years, and watching out for scams. Activities for the day included health checks, legal advice, podiatry, chiropractic, social services, massages, fun games and entertainment. Welcoming the guests and outlining the purpose of the day, Carmen Winnaar from the CoJ said International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. They adopted the resolution on December 21, 2019. Ward 54 Clr Marais Stuart said this day is special for the seniors. VIDEO 'This day is also in honour of the late Felicia, who wanted to do Tea Day with the residents of the south. In memory of her, we did this. Thank you to the team who put all this together. You must all have a lovely day and enjoy yourselves; there are cakes to indulge in,' he said. On the topic of CoJ's 'A City that Cares', Meshack Maluleke, regional manager of Social Development in Region F, emphasised that senior citizens are the best, and the city appreciates them. 'As a caring city, we will give you access to services. We will support you in your needs. Get healthy and exercise to live longer. We urge you to register for rebates. You paid tax for many years in your lives, now it is time for the city to give back,' he said. Maluleke also implored the young people to be volunteers at old-age homes. 'You must be friends with them to assist whenever they need help; be mindful of them,' he noted. Sponsors and partners of the day included Lee's Beauty Clinic, Lois du Plessis (singer and actress in House of Zwide), SPAR Ormonde and Ridgeway, Sasol Swartgoud, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F, Community Development, social development and sport and recreation Departments, Pick n Pay in The Glen Shopping Centre, UJ Chiropractor Department, UJ Law Clinic, UJ Podiatry Department, SAPS Johannesburg district, Support Those in Need Together, Clicks and Twenty 21 Holdings. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Maverick
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Five key takeaways, including a ‘bomb squad', from the Joburg State of the City Address
A month after President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the decaying City of Gold, Mayor Dada Morero announced a turnaround plan that includes a 'bomb squad'. Under pressure to deliver, City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Executive Mayor Dada Morero delivered his maiden State of the City Address (Soca) on Wednesday, acknowledging the complex challenges his administration has been grappling with and his priorities for reform. 'Our challenges are complex,' he said, 'and we don't have infinite resources. Alone, we will not solve these challenges. For instance, the city is not financially stable, infrastructure is decaying and service delivery backlogs have reversed the gains we have made. Covid-19 alone set us back by 10 years.' Here are five takeaways. Jozi's 'bomb squad' One of the major announcements made by the mayor was the introduction of a high-power implementation impact team known as the 'bomb squad', which will be led by ANC veteran Snuki Zikalala. While perhaps more commonly associated with the Springbok forwards who come off the bench en masse, the mayor explained his strategy in military terms. 'In military language, a bomb squad has the responsibility of examining and removing bombs that are found and to prevent them from exploding. This CoJ bomb squad must remove constraints that [are] impacting on the city's ability to create the Joburg we want to see,' said Morero. The team's introduction is part of the city's turnaround plan aimed at revitalising Joburg's economy, improving service delivery and ensuring the city's financial sustainability. The plan comes a month after President Cyril Ramaphosa paid an official visit to the city (of which he is a resident) and didn't like what he found. The visit was part of a government intervention aimed at arresting Joburg's decline in service delivery. Ramaphosa's trip came as the city grapples with governance failures, financial mismanagement, crumbling infrastructure, crime, lawlessness and unreliable service delivery. The state of Joburg was a key concern for Ramaphosa as the city will host the G20 Summit in November. In his address, Morero also announced his administration's intention to invest in neglected areas to fix infrastructure problems and make these communities economically stronger. The city has set aside R3.03-billion in the Medium-Term Revenue Expenditure Framework to improve eight of the most underserved areas: Diepsloot, Southern Farms, Ivory Park/Kaalfontein, Orange Farm, Soweto, Riverlea, Zandspruit and Eldorado Park. Zikalala is a straight-talking ANC leader who hasn't been afraid to call out corruption. His bomb squad, combined with the intervention team from Operation Vulindlela, could provide an extra layer of impetus and accountability to address the city's challenges. Water cuts Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Morero's address was his focus on water, or, more accurately, his lack of focus. The water cuts that plagued the city for much of 2024 have eased, and Joburg has a water turnaround strategy that's been welcomed by civil society, but as Dr Ferrial Adam of WaterCAN told Daily Maverick's Ferial Haffajee, not enough is being done to fix its 20 broken reservoirs. On Wednesday, Morero committed to 'building resilience and reliability in water security through Joburg Water, which commands the largest average capital allocation. This programme is delivering a series of large-scale interventions aimed at securing Johannesburg's water future.' He noted the R40.3-million project to build the new 10-megalitre Carlswald Reservoir, but did not elaborate on the city's key water problems — ageing infrastructure and rampant leaks — except for mentioning that it would use AI to help detect leaks. While the water crisis appears to have been temporarily averted, Morero's lack of focus on the issue could be concerning for residents who continue to face interruptions in supply. Inner city revitalisation The inner city is crucial for South Africa's richest metro and its 4.8 million residents. Morero's administration intends to prioritise the revitalisation of the inner city, which was once vibrant but has become run down, with hijacked and abandoned buildings as well as concerns over crime. At the core of the city's major development plan is the inner city revitalisation project, which aims to upgrade infrastructure, renovate abandoned buildings, improve street lighting and bring safety and dignity back to the city's centre. 'This investment will unlock mixed-income housing, attract commercial tenants and reignite the economy of the Central Business District (CBD). Key precincts such as Marshalltown, Jeppestown, Hillbrow and Braamfontein will benefit from this multilayered programme. 'The inner city is not just being restored, but we are transcending the so-called urbicide. It is being repositioned as the economic epicentre of the Gauteng city-region. We are reclaiming the inner city. This is personal,' said Morero. Inner city revitalisation has been high on the agenda during the terms of the many Joburg administrations in recent years, but there's been little to show for it. The Lilian Ngoyi Street explosion and its delayed rebuild, as well as the Usindiso fire, are but two examples of how bad the situation is. There have been pockets of improvement, including Braamfontein and Hillbrow, but Morero will have to present tangible plans and reverse the inner city's rapid decline to make it attractive to visitors and, more importantly, livable for its many residents. Electricity tariffs Electricity issues affect residents across the city who continue to face frequent outages and high electricity tariffs. The recent introduction of the R200 surcharge fee has only added to the problem, and electricity costs under City Power are scheduled to increase by 12.74% this year. While Morero's administration had previously promised to reverse the R200 fee, he did not address this on Wednesday, only acknowledging the struggles of industrial customers. 'The city is aware of the high electricity tariffs our customers are paying, especially industrial customers. These customers are major employers in our city and we need to support them so they are sustainable and financially viable. Through City Power, we will provide a relief tariff option to our industrial customers,' said Morero. That will provide little solace for residents already buckling under the pressure of the increased cost of living and repeated outages due to City Power's aged infrastructure. Morero said the city was trying to reduce its reliance on Eskom, and last year had unveiled a recommissioned open-cycle gas turbine at the John Ware Substation, which would add 50MW to the grid. 'The big idea aims to reduce our reliance on generating capacity from Eskom. This new energy mix is designed to relieve the pressure on Eskom,' said Morero. The mayor said R296-million had been allocated to connect informal areas in Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park and Kya Sands to the grid. 'This initiative will provide safe and legal electricity access to thousands of households, integrating them into the urban energy system and laying the groundwork for service upgrades and formalisation. The programme also supports the city's energy transition, through complementary investments in substation upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits,' said Morero. City Power said it connected 2,675 households in informal settlements in the 2023/24 financial year, above the target of 2,500. According to the 2022 census, 94.1% of households in Joburg had access to electricity for lighting. Waste infrastructure Waste disposal and collection were still a headache for many Joburg residents, said Morero. To solve this, the city is working on improving Pikitup's landfill sites and waste systems to help Johannesburg move toward a circular economy. The plan includes upgrading landfill sites at Goudkoppies, Marie Louise and Robinson Deep, setting up material recovery facilities and biodigesters, and getting a new waste collection fleet to improve services across the city. In April, News24 reported that the lifespan of the city's Ennerdale and Marie Louise landfills would end this year when they reach capacity, while Robinson Deep and Goudkoppies would reach capacity in 2026. It's unclear how much time the upgrades will give Pikitup before it has to find new sites. DM
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Glen Austin residents push back against non-approved developments
Glen Austin residents are raising serious concerns about the growing number of illegal buildings and businesses emerging in the area. As a rural residential zone, Glen Austin is governed by strict by-laws that prohibit commercial activity, unless the proper rezoning, or consent-use processes, have been followed. While the suburb's affordability and proximity to key road networks make it an attractive location, some property owners are exploiting these advantages, by bypassing the legal procedures. This has prompted strong community action, with residents actively engaging with the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) to report violations and demand enforcement. As a result, several stop-work and demolition notices have been issued. Also read: Belvedere potholes a danger to residents of Glen Austin Community members have also taken it upon themselves to inform property owners about the relevant regulations, and the importance of adhering to municipal processes. Their stance is clear: Development is welcome, as long as it follows the law and allows for public participation. As a registered conservancy, Glen Austin plays a crucial role in preserving natural resources, including wetlands and species such as the endangered African bullfrog. The community is proud of its green, peaceful environment and is committed to protecting it against inappropriate development, which could harm both the ecosystem and quality of life for residents. Also read: Halfway House Development Forum plans to meet with heads of JW, JRA, JMPD, and City Power to improve suburb John Maphatsoe, chairperson of the Glen Austin Residents' Association, said: 'We will continue to serve as a vital link between residents and municipal authorities, ensuring that the area's unique character and environmental importance are upheld. With continued vigilance and co-operation, the community aims to maintain Glen Austin as a green lung for Johannesburg. A place where sustainable living and legal development go hand in hand.' When Midrand Reporter reached out to property owner Yaseen Choonara, who is trying to set up a paint distribution warehouse, he said that he is doing everything legally and following all the processes and laws set out by CoJ. His architect and town planner are handling and processing everything, and are not doing anything without the approval and acceptance of the city. Read more: JRA and JPC pass the buck over bridge project In regard to respecting the motive of the community to preserve nature, Choonara said: 'Our great love for nature is always there. Our business will run with no disruptions, noise, or any negative effects to the area. We will use septic tanks for waste, fully off-grid solar systems, and borehole water. We will be self-sufficient and won't be disrupting anyone or anything in the area.' The community urges business owners to follow the correct procedures when building in Glen Austin, to avoid their work being put to a stop. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
