Ramaphosa plans to use Durban model to resuscitate Johannesburg

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he plans to set up a group comprising business, government, labour and civil society to resuscitate Africa’s richest urban center, Johannesburg.

The model was already used in eThekwini that includes the eastern port city of Durban, where there’s been a visible turnaround in the city’s performance.

“Working with these stakeholders and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, led by Mayor Cyril Xaba, we were able to unblock several challenges,” including fast-tracking water supply agreements and refurbishing critical infrastructure, Ramaphosa said Friday.

“We are proposing” a similar model for Johannesburg, he said in a speech in the city council chambers.

“This would bring in all levels of government and the expertise of our stakeholders to accelerate service delivery, stabilize the city’s finances and operations, and enable economic growth and job creation.”

Johannesburg has experienced years of mismanagement, with power changing hands between shifting coalitions, and residents contending