If we don’t fix Joburg, there’s little hope for the country
The city can be fixed - but only with a stable local government willing to look outside the political parties for help.
The City of Johannesburg's leadership shortcomings have become glaringly apparent, with potholes littering its roads, substantial losses in water and electricity revenue, and a surge in crime rates over the past three years. According to a report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), if Johannesburg fails, so does South Africa.
The city accounts for a significant portion of corporate head offices, personal income taxes, and employment. However, it faces a multitude of challenges: a R26.6 billion infrastructure backlog for Johannesburg Water, an R44 billion electricity infrastructure backlog, 155 days and 20 steps for a building permit, and a 35.9% unemployment rate.
The CDE's executive director, Ann Bernstein, emphasizes that the November local government elections are crucial to Johannesburg's future and the nation's success. She stresses that the city's decline is not solely a technical issue but a political one, requiring effective partnerships and professional leadership to reverse the downward spiral.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
