Transcript: State of the City Address

Ceremonial opening, march past and national anthem

00:00:30Ladies and gentlemen, I'll now request the executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg

00:01:02Maybe I'll request everyone to not disturb the parade, to not enter

00:03:35into the executive mayor and his entourage. Ladies and gentlemen, I'll now request the JMPD ceremonial band to lead us with the singing of the national anthem, and for the singing of the national anthem, I'll request that we all stand, all uniform officials must

00:03:54[inaudible] to remove their hats and caps during the singing of the national anthem.

00:05:37and I'll kindly request the executive mayor to come forward and acknowledge the march past.

00:05:50Move to the right in threes. Right.

00:07:15[inaudible] Quick march.

Songs and chanting as councillors and guests settle

00:21:19isiZuluNgoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono abashintshi, ngoba besaba imibono. Bayeke. Hhololo, uyahlupha umama. Hhololo,

00:21:46isiZulubayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo,

00:22:16isiZulubayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama

00:22:37isiZuluHhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo,

00:23:08isiZuluuyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. [inaudible]

00:23:36isiZuluHhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Phambili nge ANC.

00:23:56isiZuluUyazama yazi, phambili nge ANC. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke. Hhololo, uyazama yazi. Hhololo, bayeke.

00:26:03isiZuluYiwena wena sihlalo, yiwena wena sihlalo, yiwena wena sihlalo, yiwena wena sihlalo.

Acknowledgement of guests and dignitaries

00:31:27And former Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Mr. Amos Masondo.

00:31:47And I'll move over to Mpho Phalatse, the former executive

00:32:02Mr. David Mahlobo, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.

00:32:14[inaudible] Baleka Mbete

00:32:20the former Speaker of Joburg Council and now ANC MP.

00:32:28Ms. Eunice Mgcina, now the MEC of

00:32:32Speaker of Council.

00:32:37Loyiso Masuku, the ANC Deputy Regional Secretary.

00:32:45Hope Papo, ANC Provincial

00:33:02[inaudible] to correct this in the gallery, Mr. Moshe Koma is the EFF Gauteng Chairperson.

00:33:13Mr. Nkululeko Dunga, the EFF Gauteng Chairperson.

00:33:20And then I move

00:33:24I'd like to acknowledge also Ambassador

00:33:28Dalton Adams, the Chair of Chairs at Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

00:33:41Sasabona Manganye

00:33:51We also have Trevor Fowler, the former Joburg City Manager.

00:34:01We also have in our midst

00:34:12We also have Wendy Alexander, the former councillor and now MPL.

00:34:17isiZuluInkosi yamaNdebele.

00:34:24You are all welcome.

00:34:33[inaudible] from your parties.

00:34:38Councillors, we have not received

00:34:44I'll start with Councillor Sifumba.

00:34:50Just acknowledging our DTT Provincial Chair, Mr. Boy Mamabolo, is also in the building. Thank you.

00:34:58Mr. Khumalo, welcome.

00:35:01You are welcome and I was told Chief, we did not receive that notification, but we do acknowledge your presence.

Leave of absence and apologies

00:35:10Leave of absence, councillors? Councillor Dammie.

00:35:18Eh, thank you, Speaker. Ah, Councillor Mazibuko, Nonhlanhla Mazibuko, ill health. Councillor Mkhonto, ill health, and MMC Sekwaila will arrive late.

00:35:30Okay, noted, Councillor. So Councillor Simonse from the DA.

00:35:37Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, Executive Mayor, Chief Whip, fellow colleagues. Ah, MMC Kunene is not available today. Um, personal business. Councillor De Lange is on council business and Councillor Lubbe-De Rooy's got poorly family member. Thank you.

00:35:56Thank you, Councillor Simonse.

00:36:06Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, our guests, colleagues [inaudible]

00:36:22Thank you very much, Acting Speaker, the EM and the guests that are around. I would like to register the apology of Councillor Tshepo Mwelase and Councillor Ntombi Makhuba. They are running late due to commitment from Metro.

00:36:40Noted. Thank you, Councillor.

00:36:50Um, I have Councillor Hoon, um, Councillor Truluck, Councillor Koekemoer,

00:36:57Thank you, Councillor.

00:36:59Councillor Raphadu.

00:37:07Speaker, we have got Councillor Zazini, ah

00:37:13we have got Councillor Paul Johnson, ill health. Councillor Haidar Amod will be arriving late. Thank you so much.

00:37:29Noted, Councillor. Councillor Karolia.

00:37:33Thank you, Speaker, and welcome to all the special guests. I have apologies from

00:37:49Noted, Councillor, as the other hands are the apologies noted?

00:37:55Thank you, councillors.

Songs ahead of the address

00:37:59I will now proceed to the State of

00:38:03Executive Mayor.

00:38:10isiZuluYeyi, asilungiseleni uTambo uyeza. Asilungiseleni uyeza,

00:38:23isiZuluuyeza uthi mayibuye i-Afrika. Asilungiseleni uTambo uyeza,

00:38:32isiZuluuTambo uyeza. Asilungiseleni uyeza, uyeza

00:38:43isiZuluAsilungiseleni uTambo uyeza,

00:38:53isiZuluAsilungiseleni uyeza, uyeza uTambo uthi mayibuye i-Afrika.

00:39:01isiZuluuTambo uyeza. Asilungiseleni uyeza, uyeza

00:39:11isiZulu[inaudible] uTambo uyeza

00:39:17isiZuluuTambo uyeza,

00:39:27isiZuluuthi mayibuye i-Afrika.

00:39:35isiZuluuTambo uyeza. Asilungiseleni uyeza, uyeza uTambo uthi mayibuye i-Afrika.

00:39:50isiZuluuTambo uyeza. Asilungiseleni uyeza, uyeza

00:40:18isiZulunabakwa Zondo bethi ayasho izinsizwa.

00:40:25isiZuluTata Hlathi! Tata Hlathi!

00:40:28isiZuluBethi ayasho izinsizwa. Bethi ayasho izinsizwa.

00:40:36isiZuluAyangena, ayangena,

00:40:40isiZuluayangena, ayangena amavolontiya nabakwa Zondo,

00:40:50isiZulubethi ayasho izinsizwa. Ayangena,

00:40:56isiZuluayangena amavolontiya nabakwa Zondo,

00:41:02isiZulubethi ayasho izinsizwa. Ayangena,

00:41:09isiZuluayangena amavolontiya nabakwa Zondo,

00:41:15isiZulubethi ayasho izinsizwa. Ayangena,

00:41:22isiZuluayangena amavolontiya nabakwa Zondo,

00:41:28isiZulubethi ayasho izinsizwa. Ayangena,

00:41:34isiZuluayangena amavolontiya nabakwa Zondo,

00:41:41isiZulubethi ayasho izinsizwa. Ayangena,

00:41:47isiZuluayangena amavolontiya nabakwa Zondo,

Point of order on seating of the Chief of Staff and EFF protocol

00:41:56Executive Mayor, before I call you to the podium, I saw Councillor Christians' hand was up. Councillor Christians.

00:42:03isiZuluAwuthi ngihlale phansi, ngithule ngithi du!

00:42:10Councillor Christians, you are protected.

00:42:12Uh, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Uh, I rise on a point of order because today is a very important day in the life of the city and before we do that we need to make sure that all processes and protocols are followed, followed correctly. I see that the row in front of you is reserved for the City Manager and his team.

00:42:30Uh, I want to be made aware if that's changed and that a political appointment is now seated in that row as well in the form of the Mayor's, um, Chief of Staff. And also, Madam Speaker, I see that protocol has once again been broken because the EFF simply marched through the center of this House instead of, of, of bowing to you and coming around. Please make sure that the protocol and processes are done correctly so that even the Mayor does speak, he speaks with the authority of the Office of the Mayor. I thank you.claim

00:43:01Thank you, Councillor Christians, and the Chief of Staff, we did speak with the Mayor about this, and we did allude from Legislature that the Chief of Staff cannot sit with us here in this Council Chamber, but you are more than welcome to sit with our guests upstairs. So can you kindly be excused so the Executive Mayor can deliver his speech? We did speak about this. Chief of Staff.

00:43:30Protocol, please check if everyone sitting in front of me should be in that place.

00:43:54Chairperson.

00:44:03Councillor Christians, is your mic off?

00:44:07Councillor Raphadu is on now.

00:44:09Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and let me just say you're looking stunning, Madam Speaker. Um, it's not me buttering you up for more time, but it's the reality that we're facing. Madam Speaker, um, please, man, every Council is a teachable moment, and I always say this. Please, can you guide us so that some of us can be au fait with some of these Standing Rules? Which, which rule is this that, uh, the Chief of Staff has to be moved from there so that even next time when we are sitting in those seats, we don't do a similar mistake as well. Thank you very much.

00:44:44Thank you, Councillor or Chairperson Raphadu. As I've alluded before, we spoke with the Executive Mayor about this. So the Executive Mayor and myself did engage about the State of the City and who is allowed to sit here. So, councillors, we have created this platform so the Executive Mayor can deliver his State of the City Address. I'm sure there's a lot of people who are waiting for it. Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Sello Dada Morero, I would like to welcome you to the podium to deliver your State of the City Address.

Mayor's opening remarks, oath and the mayors of Johannesburg

00:45:58Honourable Speaker of Council, Councillor Nobuhle Mthembu, Honourable Chief Whip of Council, Councillor Sthembiso Zungu, Members of the Mayoral Committee, honourable councillors,

00:46:25ministers, deputy ministers, MECs, and members of the Provincial Legislature, members of the South African Local Government Association, diplomatic corps,

00:46:48leaders of political parties, special acknowledgment to the African National Congress, City Manager and your administration, fellow South Africans, Consul-General of China, guests in the gallery,

00:47:16ladies and gentlemen, comrades and compatriots,

00:47:22Setswanadumelang.

00:47:24SetswanaDumela, Rra.

00:47:28Madam 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.claim

00:47:48isiZuluOlalela uyempini

00:47:55This is the Pirates

00:48:10This 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 I'll readily, we readily admit that this address is delivered during difficult times, locally and internationally.

00:48:43The people of Johannesburg legitimately are concerned about the city, the city that they call home, and this is my home too. All I know is Johannesburg. Without Johannesburg, I have no ground. Therefore, as an Executive Mayor, I rise with the empirical task and responsibility by starting the following,

00:49:16by 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 the Republic, and I swear to perform my functions as a member of the Mayoral Committee of the City of the Metropolitan City of Johannesburg to the best

00:49:47of my ability, and 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 Johannesburg: restoring law and order through by-law enforcement and crime prevention; making sure that traffic lights do function;

00:50:17giving traffic fines to offenders; creating opportunities for young people; keeping the street lights on. Equally, it falls upon us as this administration to collectively create a Joburg that is vibrant, safe, and where every resident must not go to bed hungry. The people of Johannesburg must reflect

00:50:47the 49, the 43.9% of Gauteng, Gauteng Province GDP, which totaled 2.37 trillion, and 14.97% to the GDP of South Africa, which had a total GDP of 6.97 trillion in 2023. We have a promising story to tell, but let us, let us start the journey from the beginning.

00:51:18Since the formal establishment of Johannesburg in 1897, the city had 104 mayors. How many mayors? And today I'm mayor number 104. This number symbolizes democratic gains we have made as a people. I wish to believe that all these mayors

00:51:49represent aspirations of Joburg they wanted to see and left. Imagine what went through Mayor William Richard Boustred in 1912 when he had to write his speech during the challenging times of, or of Mayor Monty Sklaar, who led the city from 1976 to 1977. And of course, David

00:52:19Thebehali, 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 challenges led by young people who subsequently shaped the South Africa we see today, the June 16 generation. Needless to say,

00:52:5091 apartheid mayors designed the segregated infrastructure and unequal spatial system we see today. This racialized 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

00:53:20and took upon, took it upon themselves to re-imagine Johannesburg differently. For this, let us rise, for this let us rise, fellow councillors, and recognize their contribution to the democratic City of Johannesburg.

00:53:51Let us acknowledge,

00:53:55let us acknowledge Mayor Isaac Mogase. You may be seated. Acknowledge Mayor Isaac Mogase, 1995 to 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 even suggested that Johannesburg should be named

00:54:25Isaac Mogase Municipality. This may not have happened, but today we honor him and his generation for their contribution to Johannesburg. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, the man who implemented iGoli 2002,

00:54:46the man who implemented iGoli 2002, which was a three-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. Executive Mayor Parks Tau, the man who transformed Johannesburg,

00:55:19the man who transformed Johannesburg into a world-class African city,

00:55:36transformed and became the man who transformed Johannesburg into a, onto 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 programs. The people of Johannesburg enjoyed living, working and playing in this city.

00:56:05Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba,

00:56:16Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, also known, also known as the accidental mayor. He tried to clean Johannesburg. Executive Mayor Geoff Makhubo,

00:56:40who led the Government of Local Unity and led us through COVID-19 health and economic pandemic. He kept many residents alive during this difficult period. His approach to accelerated service delivery was impressive. Executive Mayor Jolidee Matongo,

00:57:08the man who put in place an economic recovery plan aimed at turning our economic crisis into an economic opportunity. Executive Mayor Mpho Moerane,

00:57:27our service delivery mayor. Every day was a cleanup day: Clean Joburg, Cleaner Joburg Campaign. Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse,

00:57:57the first female mayor of the City of Johannesburg. Executive Mayor Sello Morero,

00:58:30Executive Mayor, Executive Mayor Sello Morero, effective mayor for 25 days. Executive Mayor once again, Mpho Phalatse, the return. Executive Mayor Thapelo Amad, the mayor who tried to attract smart investments into the city.

00:59:02Executive Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, our equally youthful mayor.

City's challenges and acknowledgement of partners

00:59:21And of course, Executive Mayor Sello Morero, that is me. 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,

00:59:53and service delivery backlogs have reversed the gains we have made. COVID-19

01:00:00alone set us back by 10 years. As we stand here before you, as we stand here before you, our 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.

01:00:28Distinguished guests, our love for Johannesburg helped and propelled us to partner with the national and provincial government, business, labor, and civil society.

01:01:04Together, we are ever endeavoring to solve our collective challenges through collective partnerships such as Jozi My Jozi consortium. And we want to thank thank you for collaborating with us on transforming underutilized buildings in the Johannesburg inner city. The Johannesburg Parks Parks Alliance, we welcome the 1 billion partnership

01:01:34to rehabilitate, develop, and maintain green public spaces across the city, involving corporate sponsors and non-profit organizations. Discovery Insure and Avis South Africa, our partnership of implementing our Pothole Patrol Pothole Patrol program using mobile technology is yielding the results we want to see. Johannesburg Inner City Partnership,

01:02:02please do not give up coordinating efforts to improve urban safety, cleanliness, and walkability through projects like Adopt a Pavement and precinct upgrading in the inner city. Water and Sanitation Services South Africa, we thank you for implementing the 5-year operational management contract for the administration and delivery of water services under Johannesburg Water.

01:02:33Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, thank you for being for being by our side throughout these many years. Your activation programs 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 in hospitality sectors. To all taxi associations, Johannesburg

01:03:02To all taxi associations in Johannesburg, thank you for your positive contribution in managing illegal street traders. The Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I am excited about the launch of the Y20, eh, the Y20 launch. Thank you for practicalizing youth development by building innovation and entrepreneurship centers that will anchor Joburg's transformation into one of Africa's smart cities.

01:03:33Private property developers, thank you for joining our collaborative approach that can be seen through the Carlswald Reservoir project, which was approved which was approved now by the mayoral committee in March 2025. In this partnership, a 10 ML reservoir will be constructed by a group of private developers at an estimated cost of 40.3 million,

01:04:03fully funded by the private sector. Steyn City, we are excited about the 11.5 billion investment on bulk infrastructure such as roads, sewer, stormwater, electrical, and gas reticulation. This is a meaningful investment in the creation of 27,000 jobs. Fellow councilors, every day we must listen and respond timeously

Service delivery priorities and high-impact programmes

01:04:34to 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. One, implementing our energy sustainability strategy that tries to ensure the delivery of conventional power and integrating new distributed energy generation and energy storage facilities into the energy mix.

01:05:04The big idea aims to reduce our reliance on generating capacity from Eskom. This new energy mix is designed to relieve the pressure on Eskom. Two, investing in deprived and marginalized areas with the goal of addressing deep infrastructure backlogs. Transform these settlements into livable, connected, and economically viable communities. To this end, the city has allocated

01:05:35at least around 3 billion over the medium-term revenue expenditure framework to invest in eight of its almost undeserved underserviced areas: Diepsloot, Southern Farms, Ivory Park, Kaalfontein, Orange Farm, Soweto, Riverlea, Zandspruit, and Rabie Ridge. Revitalizing the inner city by restoring Johannesburg's urban core. At the center of Johannesburg High-Impact Program

01:06:06is the inner-city revitalization 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, commercial tenants, and reignite the economy of the central business

01:06:34Key precincts such as Marshalltown, Jeppestown, Hillbrow, and Braamfontein will benefit from this multi-layered program. The inner city is not just being

01:06:50the so-called urbicide, we are transcending the so-called urbicide, sorry, we are transcending the so-called urbicide. Or rather, the what we call the decay, or the urban decay, in simple terms. It is being repositioned as the economic epicenter of the Gauteng City Region.

01:07:21We are reclaiming the inner city. The reclaim of the inner city has become personal. Implementing the Lufhereng Mixed-Use Development is the flagship human settlement intervention in the city. Located in the southwest near Protea Glen, this development will deliver 30,000 housing units alongside bulk infrastructure, social amenities, and local economic hubs.

01:07:51Funded through the Urban Settlements Development Grant, the project is implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and JOSHCO. Lufhereng represents the city's commitment to spatial equity, integrated settlements, and the delivery of new sustainable neighborhoods. We handed over the Southern Farms mega project, which presented an opportunity for the city to deliver

01:08:2143,000 subsidized housing opportunities to 11 residents to 11 residents of 11,000 residents of Johannesburg. This project makes provision for a fully integrated township with mixed-income housing typologies supported by economic activity activity and social and community facilities. Electrifying informal settlements

01:08:53led by the city by City Power, the electrification of informal settlements remains a top priority with a 296 million allocation focused on connecting to the grid areas such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kya Sands. This initiative This initiative will provide safe and legal electricity access to thousands of households, integrating them into the urban energy system

01:09:25and laying the groundwork for service upgrades and formalization. The program also supports the city's energy transition through complimentary investments in substations and upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits. Seven, building resilience and reliability of water security through Joburg Water, which commands the largest average

01:09:56capital allocation. This program is delivering a series of large-scale interventions aimed at securing Joburg's water future. Eight, we'll be implementing Johannesburg Roads Agency multi-year infrastructure program. JRA is tasked with preserving and upgrading the backbone of the city's mobility network. This includes concluding the reconstruction of phase one of Lilian Ngoyi Road by August 2025,

01:10:28tarring of gravel roads in the township areas, and the rehabilitation of stormwater infrastructure. These interventions will reduce flooding, enhance connectivity, and ensure that the residents in underserviced areas are better integrated into city transport grid. Upgrading Pikitup's landfill rehabilitation and waste infrastructure to support Johannesburg's transitions towards a circular economy focused

01:10:58on the following: upgrading and rehabilitating landfill sites at Goudkoppies, Marie Louise, and Robinson Deep; installing material recovery facilities and biodigesters; procuring new waste collection fleet. The 10 area that we'll focus on is acknowledging the city's social and community capital strategy that includes a strong social infrastructure

01:11:29component. Key projects herein would include the following. One, the Cosmo City swimming pool, clinic, and Matholesville multi-purpose community center, the Bertrams multi-purpose center, paired, of course, with the shelters for disabled persons. Hikhensile clinic upgrade and expanding access to primary healthcare. Upgrading the Jabulani precinct,

01:11:58which is a cultural and civic repositioning program. The Jabulani precinct upgrade with a 24.2 million allocation under development planning is revitalizing Soweto's urban heart. Improvements to the pedestrian pathways, civic building, and public spaces around the Jabulani theater and civic center will help stimulate tourism, creative economies, and township enterprises.

01:12:30Implementing the Orange Farm Implementing the Orange Farm Renewal program led by the Johannesburg Development Agency, this area-based intervention targets bulk infrastructure, roads, clinics, and social amenities in Orange Farm Region G. This historically underserviced area receives tailored investment to address 13

01:13:02destiny, uh, sorry, density pressures to unlock formalization and connect to the broader urban economy. Supporting the Grand Central mega housing development aimed at delivering at least 83,000 mixed housing opportunities. Perhaps I should repeat this one.

01:13:37The central mega housing development is aimed at delivering 83,000 mixed housing opportunities in the other side of Midrand. And this is the first-ever bigger program to be rolled out in South Africa.

01:14:08Operationalizing the Integrated Intelligence Operations Center under public safety, the city is expanding its central crime and disaster response platform. The upgraded IIOC supports smart surveillance, data analytics, and multi-agency coordination in responding to public safety threats. From bulk infrastructure to community facilities, these projects embody Johannesburg's intent

01:14:39to rebuild trust, deliver equity, and invest for impact. Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, this high-impact project portfolio of 2025/2026 reflects a mature systems-orientated approach to governance grounded in the spatial strategy, financially accountability, and measurable service outcomes. The city is aware of the high electricity tariffs

01:15:14our customers are paying, especially industrial customers. These customers are are major employers in our city, and we need to support them so they are sustainable and financially viable. Through City Power, we'll provide a relief tariff option to our industrial customers. To the international community, cities across the world are engines of growth, and this growth is anchored through partnership,

G20, U20 hosting and investment pitch to international partners

01:15:46innovation, and entrepreneurship, particularly amongst our youth and marginalized communities. Through the hosting of the G20, B20, and the U20 summit, Johannesburg is now referred to as the home for solidarity, equality, and sustainability. We have a good, solid history of hosting international

01:16:20mega 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.

01:16:50Furthermore, 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.

01:17:23As 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.

01:17:54Johannesburg has a lot to offer and to offer to the world. We have an investment pipeline that has the potential to solidify our relationship with the G20 countries. For example, we have industrial parks in prime areas that China can consider. Two, for the United Kingdom, we have our Global Business Service Center operating in Alexandra, where 90% of the workforce are young people.

01:18:28By partnering with Business Process Enabling South Africa, uh, initiative, we equip 30% of unemployed people to gain comprehensive training in demand skills and create sustainable career paths both locally and internationally. Three, for Japan, the majority of our taxis or minibuses in Johannesburg are your brand. You can enter into skills development program

01:19:00focused on repairing and maintaining taxis operating in Johannesburg. Four, for Germany, the Diepsloot sewer pipeline and bridge, water demand management system, and the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works plant presents us with an opportunity to address our capacity and pollution risk for your developmental agency. The GIZ has been instrumental

01:19:33has been instrumental in supporting us. Therefore, this investment benefits us to build a resilient city supported by a green economy program. For Brazil, we are investing 396 million in the city's formalization program focused on upgrading our 20 informal in formal over 20 informal settlements, including Zandspruit, Kya Sands, Finetown, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, Lehae, Lawley, and Poortjie.

01:20:1116, formalizing our informal settlements helps us to address issues of poverty and safety. The city's defining spatial feature is seen through the mining belt. The 1.3 billion is earmarked for the redevelopment of the mining belt, which includes programs at infrastructure, land rehabilitation, and public space development across

Presidential support package, turnaround plan and Bomb Squad

01:20:42the 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.

01:21:17It 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

01:21:49is being made. For example, the war room has an executive structure and is responding to systematic failures impact real-time coordinated service delivery and accountability. We have seen, of course, a decline in service delivery protests. Intergovernmental, regional, and state-owned entities are collaborating to fast-track service delivery.

01:22:22Every day I get messages that tell me that something different is happening in Johannesburg. However, however, more needs to be done. Lastly, the first task of the presidential support package was to develop a turnaround strategy.

01:22:53In preparing for my State of the City Address, I had an opportunity to engage ministers, deputy ministers, communication experts, former city executives, and think tanks. Whilst we were engaging, I felt the need to start drafting the city's turnaround plan. Today, I would like to present to you

01:23:25this turnaround plan for consideration. And the turnaround plan responds to a scope of developing a strategy and ensuring aggressive implementation takes place. To achieve this, let us use our executive orders by establishing a high-powered implementation

01:23:55impact team, known as the Bomb Squad. In military terms, a bomb squad has the responsibility of examining and removing bombs

01:24:26that are found and to prevent them from exploding. This CoJ Bomb Squad must remove constraints that impact our city impact our city's ability to create the Joburg we want to see. Furthermore, furthermore, the city's turnaround plan

01:24:58will use the digital public infrastructure services, which offer society a practical investment alignment tool for the city to unlock. It will unlock property value, attract capital, formalize service usage and revenue sources. The digital public infrastructure is envisioned not as a tech solution, but as a city-wide multiple interconnected

01:25:30infrastructure platforms enabling private investment, business operation, and household service use. This means that the city will drive the development of a digital public infrastructure that is specifically focused on employing artificial intelligence to improve services such as detecting water leakages and managing electricity demand and supply.

01:26:02Madam Speaker, please allow me formally to hand over this turnaround plan to the president, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa. I therefore would like to direct all our councilors to the screen whilst I electronically whilst I electronically

01:26:33submit the plan to the president. Can I now for

01:27:14Can I press? Let's acknowledge the email to the president, comrades. Yes. Let's acknowledge the email.

IDP, new vision and financial reset

01:27:39I thank you. Madam Speaker, you have been leading us in managing the Integrated Development Plan, the IDP consultation process. We presented the draft IDP and budget for public comments. We are engaging with comments which are shaping the strategic direction of the city.

01:28:10The vision, mission, outcomes, and priorities remains the same. Our long-term vision is indeed to be a world-class African city. For today, we need a vision that symbolizes the Joburg we want to see. Let us adopt a new vision that is centered on creating a winning city with a singular outcome of creating one city driven

01:28:40by its people. Of course, our most singular priority must be the people of Johannesburg. The city's financial position remains fragile, and it calls for a major reset in our financial management and revenue generation activities. Our revenue collection approach will be overhauled to improve the liquidity of the city, leading to its financial sustainability.

01:29:15Whilst we appreciate the current the current challenging economic landscape where high unemployment remains a feature of the economy, we will be robust in collecting revenue from those who have the means to pay. Our large consumers of electricity and water in both private and public sectors are urged to make their fair contribution by paying their bills on time. We have no choice but to insist on proper financial discipline

01:29:49so that we can ensure the proactive management of our income and expenditure to drive the full value from each rand spent. We must strengthen our

01:30:00Financial Development Plan to create a sustainable multi-year funding model for capital infrastructure structures to cater for both social and economic infrastructure projects in the city. We remain financially sustainable as a key priority for this term. We call on all people of Johannesburg to actively engage with the city and support our revenue collection initiatives,

01:30:32while resolving any challenges they may have. There was a time in Johannesburg where we would dress up to go to the city center. We did this so that we can shop, enjoy entertainment activities offered by Carlton Center, J.B. Noord,

01:31:00Hillbrow, Rocky Street or Fordsburg. We took pride in our fashion and we took pride in walking the streets of Johannesburg. Lovers connected at Joubert Park. Johannesburg felt good. Join us as this administration to work hard to bring back that vibrancy, growth and connection.

Township economy, Lanseria Smart City and Northern Farms wastewater plant

01:31:31Senior managers. Senior managers. Firstly, let us stop talking about the township economy as if it is an academic concept that we don't know nor understand. We must bring this economy to life. We can start by leveraging on the work of the Joburg Market. The Joburg Market moves over 1 billion

01:32:01in fresh produce each month, and sees more than 14,000 buyers daily, mostly from townships like Soweto, Soweto and Alexandra. Street vendors, spaza shop owners and small food businesses. Yet almost 90% of the money spent goes to large commercial farmers outside the township, sending

01:32:30nearly 500 million a month out of poor communities without helping local farmers to grow. To fix this, the City of Johannesburg must join forces to help township traders to buy in bulk and cut costs using smart digital tools. This will lower food prices for families, boost profits for small traders and create tens of thousands of jobs

01:33:02in areas like delivery, processing and digital services, starting, of course, in Soweto, Alexandra and Orange Farm. We should aim to create 40,000 and 40,000 and 50 or 40,000 to 50,000 new jobs within the township supported enablers within trade, logistics, agro-processing and digital services.

01:33:33Secondly, we must accelerate the implementation of the District Development Model. The Lanseria Smart City Program is a significant catalytic project that will grow the economy of Johannesburg. Projects within Lanseria must be supported. The city's commitment and investment in the Northern Farms wastewater treatment plant is a game changer.

01:34:01This initiative is a cornerstone in the city's infrastructure development, showcasing a commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth. The City of Johannesburg has committed to contribute over 626 million to leverage and unlock the potential of the Northern Farms wastewater treatment plant, a project valued at 4 billion. The sustainable financial

01:34:32This substantial financial injection demonstrates the city's dedication to enhancing its wastewater management capabilities and addressing the growing demands for bulk infrastructure in the region. A key aspect of this project is its inclusive approach. The City of Johannesburg has emphasized that everyone who wishes to participate in this development

01:35:02space will be supported. This inclusive inclusivity extends to local business, contractors and workers, fostering economic growth and providing opportunities for skill development within the community. The Northern Farms wastewater treatment plant project is expected to generate significant economic benefits.

01:35:32This investment will create jobs, stimulate local business and contribute to the overall economic development of the region. By involving various stakeholders, the city aims to ensure that the economic gains are widely distributed and benefit as many people as possible. To ensure the successful implementation of the Lanseria Smart City

01:36:02and address the pressing infrastructure needs, it is imperative that additional support and guarantees for the wastewater treatment works project is established. This will not only facilitate the timely completion of essential infrastructure, but also bolster the overall development goals of the Lanseria Smart City initiative.

Drastic measures proposed by the Mayor

01:36:32Fellow councillors, we are all familiar with the idiom that says, I quote, drastic times call for drastic measures, close quote. This means acknowledging our challenges, which would have led us to this uh to this crisis. Therefore, we need extreme action to resolve our challenges.

01:37:02We must behave in an unusual manner so that we can see and yield different results. Unlike COVID-19 pandemic, our situation cannot be classified as a new normal. As we internalize our context, I would like us to consider and actioning the following. One, immediately adding an economic work stream within the presidential package.

01:37:34This work stream must help the city to reach an average of 3% GDP GDP GDP growth over 5 years. Declaring a state of disaster for crime and lawlessness from July 2025. That bylaw enforcement is a non-negotiable, and we must implement the broken window approach.

01:38:03Three, declaring a war on potholes, illegal connections, land invasion, illegal mining operations, illegal dumping and undocumented migrants.

01:38:27Four, creating space for the title Bomb Squad under the leadership of Dr. Snuki Joseph Zikalala that will become operational in June 2025. Five, rotate members of the Mayoral Committee to strengthen where weaknesses are.

01:38:57Number six, rotate senior managers starting from July 2025. Selling our debtors book so that we can save the city's finances. Start going back to daily monitoring of the city's cash flow by all senior managers. In order for the city to thrive, a minimum of 200 million must be collected on a daily basis.

01:39:31Reduce the cost of doing business by implementing the city's revised economic strategy. Allow the Presidential Support Package to assist the city to regularize the Political Facilitated Agreement, PFA. To the residents of Johannesburg, we must all play our part so that we can have a functional city

Appeal to residents and conclusion of the address

01:40:02that is vibrant, livable and resilient. Please do not litter and stop illegal dumping. Please stop littering and stop illegal dumping. Please do not vandalize our public infrastructure. Do not hijack our buildings.

01:40:31Please comply with all our bylaws of the city. We must move together. In 2024, we reimagined the city. In 2025, we must see our city as a city of choice. By working together, we must ensure that no one is left behind.

01:41:00In conclusion, Madam Speaker, to all political parties in the chamber, let us not fight, but use the SOCA debate tomorrow to receive inputs from our constituencies. Tomorrow I would like to hear voices representing the people of Johannesburg.

01:41:32I know you may 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. 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

01:42:01that will be monitored monthly by my office. I also 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 reshape the City of Johannesburg. To members of the Government of Local Unity, thank you for your continued support.

01:42:30We are here because of the residents of Johannesburg and nothing else. Let us not fail them. I thank you.

Songs after the address

01:43:02isiZuluAbabona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Yiyo yona ngempela izolo leli. Ngiyababona kukhula ngenkani. Yiyo yona

01:43:32isiZulungempela izolo leli. Ngiyababona kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Yiyo yona ngempela izolo leli.

01:44:00isiZuluNgiyababona kukhula ngenkani. Yiyo yona ngempela izolo leli. Ngiyababona kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula

01:44:30isiZulungenkani. Yiyo yona ngempela izolo leli. Ngiyababona kukhula ngenkani. Yiyo yona ngempela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala phela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Ababona bonke bathi lala

01:45:00isiZuluphela izolo leli. Ngoba kukhula ngenkani. Yiyo yona ngempela izolo leli. [inaudible]

01:45:39Thank you, councillors.

01:45:40isiZuluSiyabonga.

Announcements, adjournment and order of leaving the chamber

01:45:41Thank you, councillors. Thank you so much, Executive Mayor, for the address. As we usually do, political parties represented in council will be granted a platform to comment on the Executive Mayor's presentation, and the Executive Mayor will also be afforded an opportunity to accordingly respond in that regard, and that will happen tomorrow.

01:46:13We now proceed to announcements.

01:46:17Copies of the Executive Executive Mayor's speech will be distributed outside. Councillors, please be reminded that the meeting for the debate on the State of the City Address by political parties will be convened tomorrow at 10:00. We have come to the end of today's council business. Thank you so much, councillors and our distinguished guests, for honoring us with your presence on this special day when the Executive Mayor was delivering the State of the City

01:46:49Address of the City of Johannesburg. You are all appreciated. Before adjourning the meeting, I would like to request that the Secretary of Council address us with the order which we'll all leave. So, can we all please remain seated? Secretary to Council.

01:47:12Um, for the order of proceeding, or the procedure when leaving the chamber is as follows, and we hope the ushers will also assist. Firstly, we'll have the Speaker of Council, the Executive Mayor and the Whip of Council to be ushered first.

01:47:49And they will now be followed by the leader of the official opposition party, Councillor uh Belinda Echeozonjoku.

01:48:19And she will be followed now by the members of the Mayoral Committee.

01:48:56The MMCs will be followed by the Chair of Chairs and the chairpersons.

01:49:32And then we may also have the councillors to follow. And then the rest of the gallery may also follow. Thank you.