JOHANNESBURG STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

Bold turnaround plan focused on restoring basic services, revitalising the inner city, and building a city that works for all

By Staff Reporter

City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Sello Morero     Image: COJ

In his 2025 State of the City Address ( on Wednesday 7th May 2025 ), Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero laid bare Johannesburg’s service delivery challenges, from failing infrastructure to electricity, water, housing, and urban decay.

He presented a bold turnaround plan focused on restoring basic services, revitalising the inner city, and building a city that works for all. We invite you to engage with the full address and be part of the conversation on Joburg’s future.​ 

Below is his full speech.​

Honourable Speaker of Council, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu

 Honourable Chief Whip of Council, Cllr Sithembiso Zungu

 Members of the Mayoral Committee

 Honourable Councillors Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MECs and Members of the Provincial Legislature

Members of the South African Local Government Association

City Manager and the Administration

 Fellow South Africans Guests in the Gallery Ladies and Gentlemen Comrades and compatriots

Dumelang!

Hello to MADAM SPEAKER,

 With your permission, please allow me to preface my remarks with this caveat so that I can effectively deliver my first State of the City Address.

Orlando Pirates F.C e winnile…

This is the Pirates we want to see on a regular basis.

In the same spirit, 2025 and beyond must be the year we see the Joburg we want to see!

MADAM SPEAKER, Of course, we readily admit that this address is delivered during difficult times both locally and internationally.

The people of Johannesburg legitimately are concerned about the City they call home. This is my home too. All I know is Johannesburg. Without Johannesburg I have no grounding.

3 Therefore, as an Executive Mayor I rise to the empirical task and responsibility by stating the following:

“I Sello Enoch Morero, swear that I will be faithful to the republic of South Africa, will obey, respect and uphold the constitution and other all laws of republic and I swear to perform my functions as a member of the Mayoral committee of City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to the best of ability. I swear that the contents of this declaration are true. So, help me God!”

These words drive me to focus and serve the people of the Johannesburg by:

1. Restoring law and order through by law enforcement and crime prevention.

2. Making sure that traffic lights function.

3. Giving traffic fines to offenders.

4. Creating opportunities for young people.

5. Keeping the streetlights on.

Equally, it falls upon us as this Administration to collectively create a Joburg that is a vibrant, safe and where every resident must not go to bed hungry.

The people of Johannesburg must reflect the 43.99 percent of Gauteng Province's GDP, which totalled R 2.37 trillion; and 14.97 percent to the GDP of South Africa, which had a total GDP of R 6.97 trillion in 2023. We have a promising story to tell but let us start the journey from the beginning.

Since the formal establishment of Johannesburg in 1897, the City had 104 mayors. I was formerly mayor number 100 and today I am mayor number 104.

This number symbolises democratic gains we have made as a people. I wish to believe that all these Mayors represent aspirations of a Johannesburg they wanted to see and lead.

 Imagine what went through Mayor William Richard Boustred in 1912, when he had to write his speech during challenging times.

 Or of Mayor Monty Sklaar who led the City from 1976 to 1977 and the David Thebehali who led in 1978 as the first black local authority apartheid Administrator of Soweto.

 Both faced challenges in crafting their speeches because they had to respond to the challenges led by young people, who subsequently shaped the South Africa we see today.

The June 16 generation.

 Needless to say, 91 apartheid mayors designed the segregated infrastructure and unequal spatial system we see today.

This racialised system was only designed for a minority. Therefore, they were not inclusive in their approach, and for that, we must continue to blame them. As such, I rise on the shoulders of our democratic Mayors, who worked hard to dismantle the spatial divide and took it upon themselves to re-imagine Johannesburg differently.

 5 For this let us rise and recognise their contribution to the democratic City of Johannesburg.

 1. Mayor Isaac Mogase (1995–2000), was the first post-apartheid mayor of Johannesburg. He was driven by the need to eliminate poverty in Johannesburg. During his memorial it was suggested that Johannesburg should be renamed to Isaac Mogase Municipality. This may have not happened, but today we honour him and his generation for their contribution to Johannesburg.

2. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo (2000-2011), the man who implemented Igoli 2000, which was a 3-year plan aimed at addressing the financial crisis and restructuring the City into a single metropolitan authority. He systematically changed the face of Soweto.

Today we deservedly call him the father of Local Government.

 3. Executive Mayor Parks Tau (26 May 2011- 22 August 2016), the man who transformed Johannesburg into a World Class African City.

The City transformed and became financially viable. Under his leadership he stitched the City together through the implementation of the Corridors of Freedom and Jozi@work Programmes. The people of Johannesburg enjoyed living, working and playing in the City.

 4. Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba (22 August 2016- 27 November 2019), also known as the accidental mayor. He tried to clean the City.

 5. Executive Mayor Geoff Makhubo (4 December 2019 – 9 July 2021), who led the Government of Local Unity and led us through the Covid-19 health and economic pandemic. He kept many residents alive during this difficult period. His approach to accelerated service delivery was impressive.

6. Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo (10 August 2021- 18 September 2021), the man who put in place an economic recovery plan aimed at turning our economic crisis into an economic opportunity.

 7. Executive Mayor Mpho Moerane (1 October 2021- 22 November 2021), our service delivery mayor. Every day was a clean-up day.

 8. Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse (22 November 2021 – 20 September 2022), the first female mayor of Johannesburg.

9. Executive Mayor Sello Morero (30 September – 25 October 2022), the effective Mayor for 25 days.

 10. Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse (26 October 2022– 26 January 2023), the return.

11. Executive Mayor Thapelo Amad (27 January 2023 – 24 April 2023), the mayor who tried to attract investments into the City.

12. Executive Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda (5 May 2023 – 16 August 2024), our equally youthful mayor.

13. Executive Mayor Sello Morero (16 August 2024 – present), that is me.

 7 Our challenges are complex and we don’t have infinite resources. Alone we will not solve these challenges.

 For instance, the City is not financially stable, infrastructure is decaying and service delivery backlogs have reversed the gains we have made.

Covid-19 alone set us back by 10 years. As we stand here before you, uppermost in our minds and driving our actions was to go back to the starting gates of our founding mayors like Executive Mayor Amos Masondo.

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, Our love for Johannesburg, help and propel us to partner with national and provincial government, business, labour and civil society. Together we are ever endeavouring to solve our collective challenges through collective partnerships such as:

 1. Jozi My Jozi Consortium, thank you for collaborating with us on transforming underutilised buildings in the Johannesburg Inner City.

 2. Johannesburg Parks Alliance, we welcome the R1 billion partnership to rehabilitate, develop, and maintain green public spaces across the City, involving corporate sponsors and non-profit organisations.

3. Discovery Insure and Avis Southern Africa our partnership of implementing our 'Pothole Patrol' programme using mobile technology is yielding the results we want to see.

4. Johannesburg Inner City Partnership, please do not give up coordinating efforts to improve urban safety, cleanliness, and walkability through projects like Adopt-aPavement and precinct upgrading in the Inner City.

 5. Water and Sanitation Services South Africa, thank you for implementing the five-year operational management contract for the administration and delivery of water services under Johannesburg Water. 6. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, thank you for being by our side throughout these many years.

 Your activation programmes help us to keep the City clean and now we will be rolling-out the 'Grow My Business' training curriculum to empower township-based entrepreneurs in retail and hospitality sectors.

7. To all Taxi Associations in Johannesburg, thank you for your positive contribution in managing illegal street traders.

8. Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I am excited about the launch of the Y20 launch.

 Thank you for practicalising youth development by building innovation and entrepreneurship centres that will anchor Johannesburg’s transformation into one of Africa’s smart cities.

 9. Private Property Developers, thank you for joining our collaborative approach that can be seen through the Carlswald Reservoir project, which was approved by the Mayoral Committee in March 2025. In this partnership, a 10-megalitre reservoir will be constructed by a group of private developers at an estimated cost of R40.3 million, fully funded by the private sector.

 10. Steyn City, we are excited about your R11.5 billion investment on bulk infrastructure such as roads, sewage, storm water and electrical and gas reticulation. This is a meaningful investment in the creation of 27,000 jobs.

 FELLOW COUNCILLORS, Every day we must listen and respond timeously to the voices of Joburgers.

 All they want is electricity, water, transport, safety and housing. In this regard, let us continue to executing and doing the following:

1.       Implementing our energy sustainability strategy that tries to ensure the delivery of conventional power and integrate new distributed energy generation and energy storage facilities into the energy mix. The big idea aims to reduce our reliance on generating capacity from Eskom. This new energy mix is designed to relieve the pressure on Eskom.

 2. Investing in deprived and marginalised areas with the goal of addressing deep infrastructure backlogs and transform these settlements into liveable, connected, and economically viable communities.

 To this end, the City has allocated R3.03 billion over the Medium Term Revenue Expenditure Framework to invest in eight of its most underserved areas: Diepsloot, Southern Farms, Ivory Park/Kaalfontein, Orange Farm, Soweto, Riverlea, Zandspruit, and Eldorado Park.

 3. Revitalising the Inner City by restoring Johannesburg’s Urban Core. At the centre of Johannesburg’s high-impact programme is the Inner City Revitalisation Project.

 This cross-cutting initiative is aimed at upgrading bulk infrastructure, refurbish abandoned buildings, install safe public lighting, and restore dignity to the heart of the city.

 This investment will unlock mixed-income housing, attract commercial tenants, and reignite the economy of the Central Business District (CDB). Key precincts such as Marshalltown, Jeppestown, Hillbrow, and Braamfontein will benefit from this multi-layered programme.

The Inner City is not just being restored but we are transcending the so-called urbicide. It is being repositioned as the economic epicentre of the Gauteng City-Region. We are reclaiming the Inner CityThis is personal.

 4. Implementing the Lufhereng Mixed-Use Development is the flagship human settlements intervention in the City. Located in the south-west near Protea Glen, this development will deliver over 30,000 housing units alongside bulk infrastructure, social amenities, and local economic hubs.

Funded through the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG), the project is implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and JOSHCO. Lufhereng represents the City’s commitment to spatial equity, integrated human settlements, and the delivery of new sustainable neighbourhoods.

5. Handed over the Southern Farms mega project, which presented an opportunity for the City to deliver 43,000 subsidized housing opportunities to residents of Johannesburg.

This project makes provision for a fully integrated township with mixed income housing typologies, supported by economic activity areas, social and community facilities.

 6. Electrifying Informal Settlements, led by City Power. The electrification of informal settlements remains a top priority, with a R296 million allocation focused on connecting to the grid areas such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kya Sands.

This initiative will provide safe and legal electricity access to thousands of households, integrating them into the urban energy system and laying the groundwork for service upgrades and formalisation.

 The programme also supports the City’s energy transition, through complementary investments in substation upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits.

7. Building resilience and reliability water security through Joburg Water, which commands the largest average capital allocation.

This programme is delivering a series of large-scale interventions aimed at securing Johannesburg’s water future.

 8. Implementing Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) Multi-Year Infrastructure Programme. JRA is tasked with preserving and upgrading the backbone of the City’s mobility network.

This includes concluding the reconstruction Phase 1 of Lillian Ngoyi Road by August 2025, tarring of gravel roads in township areas, and the rehabilitation of storm water infrastructure.

These interventions will reduce flooding, enhance connectivity, and ensure that residents in underserved areas are better integrated into the City’s transport grid.

9. Upgrading Pikitup’s Landfill Rehabilitation and Waste Infrastructure to support Johannesburg’s transition toward a circular economy focusing on: • Upgrading and rehabilitating landfill sites at Goudkoppies, Marie Louise, and Robinson Deep. • Installing material recovery facilities and biodigesters. 12 • Procuring new waste collection fleet.

10. Acknowledge the City’s social and community capital strategy that includes a strong social infrastructure component. Key projects herein include: • Cosmo City swimming pool and Matholesville Multi-Purpose Community Centre (Region C). • Bertrams Multipurpose Centre (Region F), paired with Shelters for Displaced Persons. • Hikensile Clinic Upgrade (Region C), expanding access to primary healthcare.

 11. Upgrading the Jabulani Precinct Upgrade which is a cultural and civic repositioning programme. The Jabulani Precinct Upgrade, with a R24.2 million allocation under Development Planning, is revitalising Soweto’s urban heart.

 Improvements to pedestrian pathways, civic buildings, and public spaces around the Jabulani Theatre and Civic Centre will help stimulate tourism, creative economies, and township enterprises.

 12. Implementing the Orange Farm Renewal Programme. Led by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) , this area-based intervention targets bulk infrastructure, roads, clinics, and social amenities in Orange Farm, Region G.

This historically-underserved area receives tailored investment to address density pressures, unlock formalisation, and connect to the broader urban economy.

 13. Supporting the Grand Central Mega Housing Development aimed at delivery 83 000 mixed housing opportunities. This is a first for South Africa.

14. Operationalising the Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre (IIOC). Under Public Safety, the City is expanding its central crime and disaster response platform.

The upgraded IIOC supports smart surveillance, data analytics, and multiagency coordination in responding to public safety threats. From bulk infrastructure to community facilities, these projects embody Johannesburg’s intent to rebuild trust, deliver equity, and invest for impact.

 Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, this high-impact project portfolio for 2025/26 reflects a mature, systems-oriented approach to governance—grounded in spatial strategy, financial accountability, and measurable service outcomes.

The City is aware of the high electricity tariffs our customers are paying, especially industrial customers.

These customers are major employers in our City and we need to support them so they are sustainable and financially viable.

Through City Power, we will provide a relief tariff option to our industrial customers.

TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Cities across the world are the engines of growth. This growth is anchored through partnership, innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly amongst our youth and marginalized communities.

 Through the hosting of the G20, B20 and Y20 Summit,

 15. Johannesburg is now referred to as the home for “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability". We have a good solid history of hosting international mega events. Rest assured that once again we will work hard to unite as the residents of Johannesburg and work together to make our guests feel at home.

Our President made it clear that South Africa’s G20 Presidency presents us with a valuable opportunity for South Africa to advance efforts towards greater global economic growth and sustainable development.

Furthermore, this also presents us with an opportunity to place the needs of Africa and the rest of the Global South more firmly on the international development agenda.

 In support of our Presidency, the City of Johannesburg is tasked with co-hosting the U20 Summit in September 2025, a momentous global event that demands meticulous planning, inter-agency coordination, and operational excellence.

As you know, U20 is the international platform where global mayors come together to create pathways for economic opportunities that are accessible to all. Together, we can share best practices to stimulate local economies and attract sustainable investment, which in turn can help bolster our financial position. As we share these best practices, let us invest in our Cities.

Johannesburg has a lot to offer the world. 15 We have an investment pipeline that has the potential to solidify our relationship with the G20 countries.

 For example:

1. We have industrial parks in prime areas that China can consider.

 2. For the United Kingdom, we have our Global Business Services centre operating in Alexandra where 90% of the workforce are young people. By partnering with Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA) initiative we equip 30% of unemployed people to gain comprehensive training, in-demand skills, and create sustainable career pathways both locally and internationally.

3. For Japan, the majority of taxis or minibuses in Johannesburg are your brand. We can enter into a skills development programme focused on repairing and maintaining taxis operating in Johannesburg.

 4. For Germany, the Diepsloot Sewer Pipeline and Bridge, Water Demand Management systems, and the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works plant present us with an opportunity to address our capacity and pollution risks.

 Your developmental agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has been instrumental in supporting us.

Therefore, this investment, benefits us to build a resilient city supported by a green economy programme.

 5. For Brazil, we are investing R396 million in the City’s formalisation programme focused on upgrading over 20 informal settlements, including Zandspruit, Kya Sands, Finetown, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, Lehae, Lawley, and Poortjie. Formalising our informal settlements helps us to address issues of poverty and safety.

 6. The City’s defining spatial feature is seen though the mining belt. R1.3 billion is earmarked for the redevelopment of the mining belt, which includes programmes aimed at infrastructure, land rehabilitation, and public space development across mining corridor. This investment presents an opportunity for Russia to showcase its planning and execution capabilities.

 TO OUR PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA Firstly, thank you for bringing us the Presidential Support Package. It may be early days, but this intervention has brought a new paradigm shift in the planning framework and the execution of basic services.

 Secondly, your support has enhanced the work of the Service Delivery War Room as established in March 2025. Significant progress is being made.

 For example:

 1. The War Room as an executive response structure is responding to systemic failures aimed at driving high impact, real-time, coordinated service delivery and accountability.

 2. We have seen a decline in service delivery protests.

3. Inter-governmental, regional, and state-owned entities are collaborating to investment in the creation of 27,000 jobs. FELLOW COUNCILLORS, Every day we must listen and respond timeously to the voices of Joburgers.

 All they want is electricity, water, transport, safety and housing. In this regard, let us continue to executing and doing the following:

 1. Implementing our energy sustainability strategy that tries to ensure the delivery of conventional power and integrate new distributed energy generation and energy storage facilities into the energy mix.

 The big idea aims to reduce our reliance on generating capacity from Eskom.

 This new energy mix is designed to relieve the pressure on Eskom.

 2. Investing in deprived and marginalised areas with the goal of addressing deep infrastructure backlogs and transform these settlements into liveable, connected, and economically viable communities.

 To this end, the City has allocated R3.03 billion over the Medium Term Revenue Expenditure Framework to invest in eight of its most underserved areas: Diepsloot, Southern Farms, Ivory Park/Kaalfontein, Orange Farm, Soweto, Riverlea, Zandspruit, and Eldorado Park.

 3. Revitalising the Inner City by restoring Johannesburg’s Urban Core. At the centre of Johannesburg’s high-impact programme is the Inner City Revitalisation Project.

 This cross-cutting initiative is aimed at upgrading bulk infrastructure, refurbish abandoned buildings, install safe public lighting, and restore dignity to the heart of the city.

This investment will unlock mixed-income housing, attract commercial tenants, and reignite the economy of the Central Business District (CDB).

 Key precincts such as Marshalltown, Jeppestown, Hillbrow, and Braamfontein will benefit from this multi-layered programme.

The Inner City is not just being restored but we are transcending the so-called urbicide.

 It is being repositioned as the economic epicentre of the Gauteng City-Region. We are reclaiming the Inner City. This is personal.

 4. Implementing the Lufhereng Mixed-Use Development is the flagship human settlements intervention in the City. Located in the south-west near Protea Glen, this development will deliver over 30,000 housing units alongside bulk infrastructure, social amenities, and local economic hubs. Funded through the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG), the project is implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and JOSHCO. Lufhereng represents the City’s commitment to spatial equity, integrated human settlements, and the delivery of new sustainable neighbourhoods.

 5. Handed over the Southern Farms mega project, which presented an opportunity for the City to deliver 43,000 subsidized housing opportunities to residents of Johannesburg. This project makes provision for a fully integrated township with mixed income housing typologies, supported by economic activity areas, social and community facilities.

 6. Electrifying Informal Settlements, led by City Power. The electrification of informal settlements remains a top priority, with a R296 million allocation focused on connecting to the grid areas such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kya Sands. This initiative will provide safe and legal electricity access to thousands of households, integrating them into the urban energy system and laying the groundwork for service upgrades and formalisation. The programme also supports the City’s energy transition, through complementary investments in substation upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits.

7. Building resilience and reliability water security through Joburg Water, which commands the largest average capital allocation. This programme is delivering a series of large-scale interventions aimed at securing Johannesburg’s water future. 8. Implementing Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) Multi-Year Infrastructure Programme. JRA is tasked with preserving and upgrading the backbone of the City’s mobility network. This includes concluding the reconstruction Phase 1 of Lillian Ngoyi Road by August 2025, tarring of gravel roads in township areas, and the rehabilitation of storm water infrastructure.

These interventions will reduce flooding, enhance connectivity, and ensure that residents in underserved areas are better integrated into the City’s transport grid.

9. Upgrading Pikitup’s Landfill Rehabilitation and Waste Infrastructure to support Johannesburg’s transition toward a circular economy focusing on:

 • Upgrading and rehabilitating landfill sites at Goudkoppies, Marie Louise, and Robinson Deep. • Installing material recovery facilities and biodigesters.

• Procuring new waste collection fleet.

 10. Acknowledge the City’s social and community capital strategy that includes a strong social infrastructure component. Key projects herein include:

• Cosmo City swimming pool and Matholesville Multi-Purpose Community Centre (Region C).

 • Bertrams Multipurpose Centre (Region F), paired with Shelters for Displaced Persons.

 • Hikensile Clinic Upgrade (Region C), expanding access to primary healthcare.

11. Upgrading the Jabulani Precinct Upgrade which is a cultural and civic repositioning programme. The Jabulani Precinct Upgrade, with a R24.2 million allocation under Development Planning, is revitalising Soweto’s urban heart.

 Improvements to pedestrian pathways, civic buildings, and public spaces around the Jabulani Theatre and Civic Centre will help stimulate tourism, creative economies, and township enterprises.

12. Implementing the Orange Farm Renewal Programme. Led by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) , this area-based intervention targets bulk infrastructure, roads, clinics, and social amenities in Orange Farm, Region G.

This historically-underserved area receives tailored investment to address density pressures, unlock formalisation, and connect to the broader urban economy.

13. Supporting the Grand Central Mega Housing Development aimed at delivery 83 000 mixed housing opportunities. This is a first for South Africa.

14. Operationalising the Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre (IIOC). Under Public Safety, the City is expanding its central crime and disaster response platform.

The upgraded IIOC supports smart surveillance, data analytics, and multiagency coordination in responding to public safety threats.

 From bulk infrastructure to community facilities, these projects embody Johannesburg’s intent to rebuild trust, deliver equity, and invest for impact.

Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, this high-impact project portfolio for 2025/26 reflects a mature, systems-oriented approach to governance—grounded in spatial strategy, financial accountability, and measurable service outcomes.

 The City is aware of the high electricity tariffs our customers are paying, especially industrial customers. These customers are major employers in our City and we need to support them so they are sustainable and financially viable.

 Through City Power, we will provide a relief tariff option to our industrial customers.

 TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

 Cities across the world are the engines of growth. This growth is anchored through partnership, innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly amongst our youth and marginalized communities. Through the hosting of the G20, B20 and Y20 Summit, Johannesburg is now referred to as the home for “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability".

 We have a good solid history of hosting international mega events. Rest assured that once again we will work hard to unite as the residents of Johannesburg and work together to make our guests feel at home.

 Our President made it clear that South Africa’s G20 Presidency presents us with a valuable opportunity for South Africa to advance efforts towards greater global economic growth and sustainable development.

Furthermore, this also presents us with an opportunity to place the needs of Africa and the rest of the Global South more firmly on the international development agenda.

In support of our Presidency, the City of Johannesburg is tasked with co-hosting the U20 Summit in September 2025, a momentous global event that demands meticulous planning, inter-agency coordination, and operational excellence.

 As you know, U20 is the international platform where global mayors come together to create pathways for economic opportunities that are accessible to all.

Together, we can share best practices to stimulate local economies and attract sustainable investment, which in turn can help bolster our financial position. As we share these best practices, let us invest in our Cities.

Johannesburg has a lot to offer the world.

15 We have an investment pipeline that has the potential to solidify our relationship with the G20 countries.

For example:

 1. We have industrial parks in prime areas that China can consider.

2. For the United Kingdom, we have our Global Business Services centre operating in Alexandra where 90% of the workforce is young people.

By partnering with Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA) initiative we equip 30% of unemployed people to gain comprehensive training, in-demand skills, and create sustainable career pathways both locally and internationally.

 3. For Japan, the majority of taxis or minibuses in Johannesburg are your brand. We can enter into a skills development programme focused on repairing and maintaining taxis operating in Johannesburg.

 4. For Germany, the Diepsloot Sewer Pipeline and Bridge, Water Demand Management systems, and the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works plant present us with an opportunity to address our capacity and pollution risks.

Your developmental agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has been instrumental in supporting us.

Therefore, this investment, benefits us to build a resilient city supported by a green economy programme.

5. For Brazil, we are investing R396 million in the City’s formalisation programme focused on upgrading over 20 informal settlements, including Zandspruit, Kya Sands, Finetown, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, Lehae, Lawley, and Poortjie. Formalising our informal settlements helps us to address issues of poverty and safety.

6. The City’s defining spatial feature is seen though the mining belt. R1.3 billion is earmarked for the redevelopment of the mining belt, which includes programmes aimed at infrastructure, land rehabilitation, and public space development across mining corridor. This investment presents an opportunity for Russia to showcase its planning and execution capabilities.

 TO OUR PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA Firstly, thank you for bringing us the Presidential Support Package.

 It may be early days, but this intervention has brought a new paradigm shift in the planning framework and the execution of basic services. Secondly, your support has enhanced the work of the Service Delivery War Room as established in March 2025. Significant progress is being made.

 For example:

1. The War Room as an executive response structure is responding to systemic failures aimed at driving high impact,

real-time, coordinated service delivery and accountability.

2. We have seen a decline in service delivery protests.

3. Inter-governmental, regional, and state-owned entities are collaborating to fast

4. Reduce the cost of doing business by implementing the City’s revised economic strategy. 10. Allow the Presidential Support Package to assist the City to regularise the Political Facilitated Agreement.

TO THE RESIDENTS OF JOHANNESBURG,

 We must all play our part so that we can have a functional City that is vibrant, liveable and resilient.

 1. Please do not litter and stop illegal dumping.

 2. Please do not vandalise public infrastructure.

 3. Please do not hijack buildings.

 4. Please comply with all by-laws of the City. We must move together.

In 2024 we reimagined the City. In 2025, we must see our City as the city of choice. By working together we must ensure that no one is left behind.

 IN CONCLUSION MADAM SPEAKER,

To all political parties in the chamber, let us not fight and use the SOCA debate tomorrow to receive inputs from our constituencies.

Tomorrow I would like to hear voices representing the people of Johannesburg. I know you have the capacity to punch holes in my speech.

But, let us do things differently.

Tomorrow tell us about the Johannesburg you want to see.

 I wish to acknowledge Members of the Mayoral Committee in working with me to put in place performance targets that will be monitored monthly by my office.

 I wish to thank Management and all staff members of the City for the work they are doing. Needless to say, more is required so that we can re-shape the City of Johannesburg.

To the Members of the Government of Local Unity, thank you for continued support. We are here because of the residents of Johannesburg and nothing else. Let us not fail them.

THANK YOU