07-05-2025
State of the City: Johannesburg mayor pledges better services, power for informal areas
State of the City: Johannesburg mayor pledges better services, power for informal areas
Johannesburg Mayor Sello Dada Morero has pledged to improve basic services, formalise informal settlements, and boost infrastructure in his 2025 State of the City Address (SOCA).
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Speaking at the City Council in Braamfontein on Wednesday, Morero outlined a multi-pronged plan to tackle issues such as electricity access, waste management, potholes, and water security, aimed at uplifting communities and driving sustainable development across the city.
On Wednesday (May 7) at the City Council in Braamfontein, he promised residents that he would gradually take the city to greater heights.
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Morero will work with various entities, including Joburg Water (JW), City Power, Pikitup and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).
He said electricifying and formalising informal settlements across the city is one of the priorities.
'The electrification of informal settlements remains a top priority, with a R296 million allocation focused on connecting to the grid areas such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kya Sands. 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,' said Morero.
He said this initiative will be led by the City Power.
Morero added that this programme also supports the City's energy transition, through complementary investments in substation upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits.
Following a scourge of illegal dumping and littering, he said they will upgrade and rehabilitate landfill sites, install recovery facilities and biogas plants and procure a new collection fleet for Pikitup.
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He said City will join forces with township traders to buy in bulk in a bid to boost profits and create jobs.
He declared war on potholes, illegal connections, dumping, land invasions and undocumented immigrants.
'Building resilience and reliability in water security through JW, which commands the largest average capital allocation. This programme is delivering a series of large-scale interventions aimed at securing Johannesburg's water future. Implementing JRA Multi-Year Infrastructure Programme. JRA is tasked with preserving and upgrading the backbone of the City's mobility network,' added Morero.
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He said this includes tarring of gravel roads in township areas and the rehabilitation of stormwater infrastructure.
Morero concluded that these interventions will reduce flooding, enhance connectivity, and ensure that residents in underserved areas are better integrated into the City's transport grid.
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