By Thapelo Molefe
Joburg mayor Dada Morero on Wednesday defended the city’s performance and economic position, insisting Johannesburg “has not collapsed” despite worsening service delivery failures, infrastructure backlogs and growing financial pressure.
Delivering the 2026 State of the City Address at St Mary’s Cathedral in Johannesburg, Morero said the metro remained the heartbeat of South Africa and Africa’s economy despite ongoing challenges facing the metro.
“Every time I hear someone say that Johannesburg remains Africa’s richest City, it warms my heart,” Morero said.
“It means we have not collapsed; we must be doing something right.”
The mayor’s remarks come as Johannesburg faces mounting criticism over water shortages, electricity outages, potholes, deteriorating infrastructure and financial instability.
Recent protests over water disruptions have triggered intervention from National Treasury, while Eskom has threatened to reduce or interrupt electricity supply to some bulk supply points over debt reportedly amounting to R5.2 billion.
Finance Minister
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