By Johnathan Paoli
The City of Johannesburg is committed to driving change and enhancing capacity in South Africa’s economic powerhouse, despite grappling with a host of pressing challenges.
These include deteriorating infrastructure, water management issues, crime, vandalism, and service delivery failures.
Joburg mayor Dada Morero announced this on Wednesday when he outlined a strategic plan aimed at revitalising the city through initiatives focused on financial sustainability, safety enhancements, improved service delivery, and infrastructure upgrades.
Morero also briefed the media on a range of critical issues affecting the metro, from malfunctioning traffic signals and potholes to updates on water supply and the renaming of Sandton Drive.
“On behalf of the City and this administration, I want to emphasise that the City of Johannesburg is fully committed to improving the daily lived experience of the residents of Johannesburg,” Morero said.
One of the most significant challenges facing Johannesburg is its aging infrastructure, particularly in water management and road maintenance.
The city has been plagued by frequent water leaks, inefficient distribution, and illegal water connections.
To combat these issues, Johannesburg Water has launched an Advanced Leak Detection Programme, involving the installation of noise loggers, which detect unusual sounds in water pipelines to identify leaks early.
So far, 125 noise loggers have been installed across the Central, Randburg, and Roodepoort regions, with an additional 400 planned for installation by June this year.
In addition, the city is addressing its water pressure management system to reduce wastage.
By December last year, 12 pressure-reducing valves had been fitted with smart controllers, with plans to retrofit another 100 by June.
The city is also intensifying efforts to disconnect illegal water connections, which place a significant strain on the system.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is currently grappling with widespread vandalism and theft of traffic signal infrastructure.
Of the city’s 2,023 signalised intersections, 194 have been affected by vandalism, while an additional 60 provincial intersections also require urgent repair.
The city has launched a campaign to secure critical intersections by installing security upgrades, electronic controllers, and CCTV cameras integrated with the Integrated Intelligent Operations Centre for real-time monitoring.
Moreover, Johannesburg has a severe pothole problem, exacerbated by heavy rains.
The city’s response is a three-pronged approach involving pothole repairs, deep patching, and road resurfacing to extend road lifespans by three to five years.
To accelerate these efforts, Johannesburg has increased in-house production through its Asphalt Plant, ensuring a quicker turnaround for road repairs.
Another major infrastructure initiative is the refurbishment of the Metro Centre, which has faced numerous safety and compliance issues.
The city has closed the Metro Centre and plans to refurbish it through a Public-Private Partnership, in collaboration with National Treasury and the Government Technical Advisory Centre.
The feasibility study for the project is underway, exploring various funding models to modernise the building and create a safe, efficient office space for city employees.
In the interim, security at the Metro Centre has been significantly increased, with 35 armed guards deployed in 12-hour shifts to prevent vandalism.
Johannesburg has long struggled with crime and urban decay, particularly in the inner city.
Morero’s administration has prioritised by-law enforcement and crime prevention as part of its strategy to reclaim and transform the city.
The mayor has emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships between law enforcement agencies, businesses, and community groups to tackle illegal activity, clean up neglected areas, and restore order.
One of the more politically sensitive issues facing the city is the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, after the Palestinian activist.
This move has drawn criticism due to the presence of the US Embassy on Sandton Drive, with concerns that it could escalate diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States.
Morero has assured residents that the renaming process is still under consultation and that diplomatic considerations will be taken into account before any final decision is made.
Another key cultural and heritage initiative is the planned restoration of the Johannesburg Art Gallery, a national monument and provincial heritage site.
The city has committed to preserving the gallery and ensuring that it remains a vibrant space for artistic and cultural expression.
Public engagement is a priority in this restoration process, with plans to involve various stakeholders in the project.
Morero’s administration is taking a proactive approach to addressing Johannesburg’s myriad challenges.
From infrastructure repair and water management to crime prevention and inner-city revitalisation, the city is working to restore Johannesburg’s status as a thriving metropolitan hub.
While many of these initiatives are still in their early stages, the commitment to transparency and public engagement offers hope for a more functional and sustainable Johannesburg in the future.
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