18-05-2025
Johannesburg Crisis Alliance reveals the real state of Johannesburg at summit
The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) convened its sixth summit at the Wits University Margo Steele Auditorium on May 10, focusing on the current state of Johannesburg and the city's governance.
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This important gathering brought together approximately 350 delegates from civic organisations, residents associations, and concerned community members to discuss Johannesburg's ongoing governance and service delivery challenges.
It featured discussions on the presidency and included a representative from the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) to provide insights into the city's challenges and potential solutions.
Mixed assessments of Johannesburg's stability
Neeshan Bolton, from Ahmed Kathrada and the JCA, expressed a cautiously optimistic view of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), stating that while there are elements of dysfunctionality, the city is more stable than it was a year ago. Bolton noted that attendees reported seeing improvements in their neighbourhoods, such as streetlight repairs, although these efforts are not uniformly experienced across all 135 wards. He emphasised the need for the city to articulate a clear vision and address core issues to foster long-term stability and growth.
Khule Duma, director in the Presidency, highlighted the broader economic context, noting that South Africa's economy has stagnated for over 15 years, with rising unemployment and low gross domestic product growth. Duma called for rapid implementation of bold economic reforms to stimulate growth and improve the quality of life for Johannesburg residents.
Snapshot of challenges
Deficits and service delivery breakdowns:
• 78% of bridges in poor or very poor condition.
• 35% technical losses experienced in the City Power network.
• 33% increase of residents experiencing electrical interruptions since 2017/2018 (not due to loadshedding).
• 17% increase in water disruptions since 2017/2018.
• 46% non-revenue water rate.
Severe financial distress
• 17 days of cash cost coverage (indicates ability to pay fixed costs).
• R23b owed to creditors (from R11.9b in 2019/2020).
Public safety and environmental challenges
• 600 estimated hijacked buildings in the inner city.
• 85% felt unsafe walking in the inner city at night.
PJWG's objectives and timeline
The summit introduced the objectives of the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group (PJWG), which aims to strengthen governance, improve service delivery, drive economic development, and rejuvenate inner-city hubs and townships. Duma outlined a two-phase implementation plan over 24 months, consisting of short-term interventions designed to yield quick wins within two to three months, and long-term strategies addressing systemic challenges over 12–24 months.
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Duma added that the 'quick wins' consist of:
• Addressing poor reinstatement (potholes),
• Streetlights and traffic lights,
• Debt owed by provincial and national government,
• Police visibility,
• Accelarating the finalisation of infrastructure agreements,
• Cleaning public spaces, and
• Opening of public institutions.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including the JCA, to ensure accountability and effective resource allocation.
Power supply stability and future prospects
Another concern on the agenda was the ongoing debt dispute between Eskom and the CoJ, which sparked concerns across the residents of Johannesburg
Sicelo Xulu, chairperson of SANEDI , provided an update on Johannesburg's power supply situation, stating that discussions with Eskom regarding a settlement agreement are progressing positively. He reassured the citizens of the city that there is currently no threat of power supply termination to Johannesburg, attributing this stability to ongoing cordial engagements.
Bolton echoed Xulu's sentiments, outlining the critical nature of resolving power supply issues to prevent dire consequences for the city.
The summit concluded with a commitment to addressing the root causes of Johannesburg's challenges, and to discussing sustainable solutions in ensuring the city's longevity.
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