The glossy booklet distributed at Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero’s state of the city address proudly proclaimed: “The Joburg we all want.” Yet I must ask: does this vision reflect the reality of our communities?
In various wards the picture is grim. The turnaround time for electricity outages has increased from 24 hours to almost two weeks. Reports of leaks to Joburg Water often go unanswered, leaving residents frustrated and helpless.
Our streets are frequently flooded, potholes have become daily hazards and functioning street lights are now a rare luxury. This is far from the better Joburg we are promised.
These are not isolated incidents — they represent systemic failures that continue to erode residents’ trust in the city’s ability to deliver. The mayor’s vision of an ideal Johannesburg is at best aspirational; at worst, it feels entirely disconnected from reality.
The city leadership needs to urgently bridge the gap between vision and action, because right now “The Joburg we all want” feels very far from the one we are forced to endure.
Tsepo Mhlongo
Orlando East
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