Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane has raised concerns over Johannesburg’s deteriorating infrastructure, citing unreliable electricity, water shortages, and failing service delivery as key issues.

He pointed out that while the National Development Plan sets a target for infrastructure spending at 30% of GDP, the current spending stands at only 14%.

Maimane questioned whether the city should be placed under administration, warning that delaying action could lead to further mismanagement of public funds.

Last week, IOL reported that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi issued an apology to President Cyril Ramaphosa after Ramaphosa expressed his disappointment over the state of Johannesburg during his visit to the province.

Lesufi acknowledged the city's ongoing challenges and apologised for the negative experience Ramaphosa had, saying: “We need a leniency programme that can be enjoyed by all. And that's the approach that we are taking. But I apologise to the president that he had that particular experience.”

This apology came as part of the first day of Ramaphosa’s oversight visit, which focuses on addressing the province’s pressing challenges and those of its municipalities. Despite his disappointment, Ramaphosa has given the province another opportunity to improve, with the final G20 summit in November serving as a key milestone.

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Responding to oral questions in the National Assembly in Cape Town on Tuesday, Ramaphosa acknowledged Johannesburg's challenges but stressed the importance of a collaborative approach to recovery. He referenced the successful turnaround in Ekurhuleni, where various stakeholders, including business, labor, civil society, and government, worked together to address key issues.

“We have seen that in action in eThekwini. eThekwini was also one of those metros that was just going downhill, and we were able to interact with various stakeholders—business, labour, civil society, local government, provincial government, and national government. All these five key stakeholders were able to get together, fold their arms, and identify areas in which they could work,” Ramaphosa said.

“We established workstreams with representation from all these role players, focusing on water, crime, and a number of other issues. Today, eThekwini, with good leadership, is beginning to turn around.”

The president expressed optimism that Johannesburg could follow a similar path, highlighting that financial institutions, including banks, are eager to support the city's revival. “Johannesburg is still the capital city of money,” Ramaphosa said. “The banks themselves are very keen to work with our metro government there to revamp and revive the city.”

Instead of placing Johannesburg under administration, Ramaphosa believes the key to restoring the city lies in harnessing “a new energy that has been injected to all stakeholders,” including academics and young people, to help return Johannesburg to its former status.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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