WeeklySA_AdminDERELICT: Residents of Johannesburg are in a constant battle against the absurdity of service Delivery nightmares – water woes which might lead to think turning on the tap will get you water? Instead, welcome to ‘aqua-pocalypse’, where hydration can just but be a rumour…
By Themba Khumalo
Johannesburg is the dazzling jewel of South Africa, where ambition dances with despair in a chaotic tango. Here, dreams of success crash into potholes like a clumsy giraffe on roller skates and the glimmer of opportunity flickers under the ever-watchful eye of crime.
For those unfortunate enough to call Joburg home, life resembles a never-ending circus, where the high-wire act of ambition is constantly threatened by the harsh slap of reality—water shortages that mock their thirst, power outages that snuff out their hopes, and a housing crisis that extends endlessly like the city’s notorious traffic jams.
We have all become accustomed to the litany of woes: the crumbling infrastructure that groans under the weight of neglect, the service delivery failures that leave residents fuming, and the gnawing sense that somehow, somewhere, things could be so much better.
These are not new issues, mind you. They are the recurring characters in the long-running Joburg soapie, problems we have learned to live with, like a particularly irritating neighbour who blasts Beyonce at 3 AM.
But here is the rub. For years, these challenges have festered, largely ignored by those in power. The lack of political will to tackle these issues head-on has been the elephant in the room (or perhaps the pothole in the road). Governance failures, financial mismanagement that makes even the most seasoned accountant weep, and a general sense of lawlessness have become the defining features of Johannesburg’s story, the bitter aftertaste that lingers after the initial buzz of its energy.
Suddenly, President Cyril Ramaphosa, despite seemingly being a resident of Johannesburg and a regular attendee at Luthuli House (the ANC headquarters), is “not pleased” with the state of the City of Gold: an utterance that has left many Joburgers wondering if he has been visiting a different Johannesburg, one where the potholes are filled with diamonds, and the water flows like champagne.
Enter Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, stepping onto the stage like a beleaguered actor in a tragicomedy, offering a heartfelt apology to President Ramaphosa. But hold your applause, Mr Premier! Shouldn’t your contrition be aimed at the beleaguered souls of Johannesburg?
The very residents relentlessly assaulted by the noxious fumes of decay and incompetence? We are the ones being yanked by our hair (not that I have any) into a deep and dark hole of fury and hopelessness!
It is like apologising to the chef after you have set their kitchen on fire. Perhaps the priorities could use a little fine-tuning, wouldn’t you agree?
It seems the impending arrival of world leaders has finally forced a much-needed reckoning. The city, a potential showcase of South Africa’s progress, is suddenly under the spotlight, and its flaws are glaringly obvious. The fear of international embarrassment, it seems, is a far more potent motivator than the daily struggles of its citizens.
One can’t help but feel a touch cynical. Is it really the well-being of Joburgers driving this sudden urgency, or simply the desire to put on a good show for the international audience? Are we about to witness a flurry of activity, a cosmetic makeover designed to impress dignitaries, only to have the city revert to its usual state of disrepair once the last VIP jet has taken off?
The optimist in me hopes not. I hope this sudden attention will translate into real, lasting change; that the spotlight will illuminate the deep-seated issues that have plagued Johannesburg for far too long and force those in power to finally address them with the seriousness they deserve.
Perhaps this G20 summit can be the much-needed catalyst for a genuine revitalisation of the city. An opportunity to tackle the infrastructure woes, streamline service delivery, and create a Johannesburg that truly lives up to its potential.
But let’s not hold our breath. Johannesburg has been promised transformation before. We have heard the grand pronouncements, and seen the fleeting moments of improvement, only to be disappointed time and time again.
The real test will be whether this newfound urgency survives beyond the summit. Whether the political will to fix Johannesburg persists, even when the world’s eyes are no longer watching. Because ultimately, the City of Gold deserves more than just a temporary shine. It deserves a future where its residents can thrive, where the promise of opportunity does not get strangled by the daily grind of struggling with basic services.
Only time will tell if the G20 summit will be a turning point or just another fleeting moment in Johannesburg’s ongoing saga. But one thing is certain, as citizens of Johannesburg, we are watching, waiting, and hoping that this time around, things will finally be different.
And maybe, just maybe, we will get the Johannesburg we deserve.
