City of Joburg's new fix list

RESURRECTION: SEARCH FOR SAVIOUR SET TO BEGIN TO RESTORE JOZI TO ITS FORMER GLORY

- Jarryd Westerdale

Johannesburg has just finished a year of nationally mandated course correction, but the coming year will test its newfound resolve.

Hosting the G20 summit gave the city the impetus to clean up, but underlying issues persist.

A year ago, the question had been whether Joburg could be saved and the coming year will see many auditioning for the role of saviour.

Johannesburg's multiple entities have a greater role to play than any single leader, as each come with their own boards, budgets and performance goals.

While many slip under radar, City Power, Joburg Water, the Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Pikitup manage the basics.

City Power and JRA had a positive year in 2025, thanks in part to the disappearance of load shedding and provincial partnerships, although theft and vandalism remain concerns.

Several entities shared the role of scraping the dirt from the city's streets and sidewalks, with Pikitup and City Parks and Zoo in a constant fight against litter and illegal dumping.

"The inner city remains one of the most complex urban environments on the continent," said mayor Dada Morero.

"Keeping it clean and orderly is not a once-off event, it is a daily battle.

"That is why we have called for stronger national support on immigration enforcement and informal trading regulations. This is not shifting responsibility, it is recognising reality.