Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

4-minute read
27 January 2025 | 15:30 CAT

Joburg residents and civil society groups unite at the 2025 JCA Summit, demanding action on infrastructure, water crises, and corruption to reclaim their city. (Image – Neelam Rahim, Radio Islam International)

Johannesburg residents and civil society groups have come together under the banner of the Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) to demand urgent action from city officials. With concerns over governance, corruption, and failing infrastructure reaching a breaking point, the 2025 JCA Summit in Brixton hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation on the 25^th January saw a packed hall of citizens eager to reclaim their city.

The crisis in Johannesburg is undeniable. Residents face collapsing infrastructure, unsafe communities, prolonged water shortages, and rampant corruption. Civil society has had enough. The message is clear: clean governance, transparency, and accountability must become the priority for city leaders. Attendees emphasized that skilled and experienced individuals should be appointed to key municipal positions and that the voices of residents must be heard in decision-making processes.

Formed at the 2nd JCA Summit in 2023, the Joburg Crisis Alliance consists of OUTA, Defend Our Democracy, The Joburg Inner-City Partnership, Action-For-Accountability, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, and Rivonia Circle. Over the past two years, this alliance has been instrumental in mobilizing residents and putting pressure on city officials. However, despite protests, memorandums, and numerous engagements, many of the demands remain unaddressed, and political promises have proven empty.

A reminder was given to all attendees: “You are the boss! The city answers to you.” Civil society organizations emphasized the need for collective action rather than fragmented efforts. While communities across Joburg have independently protested water shortages and service delivery failures, a united front is necessary to hold the municipality accountable and force meaningful change.

A major highlight of the summit was the worsening water crisis in Johannesburg. Residents are experiencing frequent and prolonged water cuts due to aging infrastructure, leaking reservoirs, and a complete failure of maintenance systems. High levels of pollution in rivers further exacerbate the problem, making access to clean drinking water a growing concern.

In a crucial moment at the JCA 2025 Summit, a petition calling for urgent water infrastructure funding, signed by over 4,000 residents, spearheaded by Dr Ferrial Adam, was handed over to Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu. The petition, spearheaded by WaterCAN, was presented alongside Neeshan Bolton from the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. Now, the question remains: Will the City of Joburg act?

In addition to water, Johannesburg’s R73 billion budget was also a major talking point. Despite the city’s massive financial resources, service delivery failures are widespread, raising concerns about corruption and financial mismanagement. Renowned Daily Maverick Journalist Ferial Haffejee warned of an emerging “city capture” scheme, where funds are funneled into patronage networks instead of being used to benefit residents.

Another deeply troubling issue raised at the summit was the deteriorating safety conditions in Johannesburg’s communities. Reports from organizations like the Seth Mazibuko Foundation and the Homestead Park Community Forum painted a grim picture:

• A patrolling community member was shot seven times, and his case remains unacknowledged.
• Since December 2024, five people stabbed, and multiple muggings have occurred in Homestead Park.
• Children walk to school through sewage, highlighting the city’s failure to address the worsening sewerage crisis.

Residents voiced their outrage, demanding immediate intervention. The failure of the city’s leadership to prioritize safety has left communities vulnerable and afraid. How many more lives must be lost before action is taken?

Despite the overwhelming challenges, there was some positive news. The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation provided an update on the reopening of the city’s Library and Art Gallery. While the library is expected to open soon following consultations with city officials, the Art Gallery remains a work in progress. The restoration of cultural institutions offers a glimpse of what is possible when civic engagement and government cooperation align.

The JCA Summit concluded with a call to action. Civil society groups demanded a seat at the table in key municipal discussions, including the government’s water ‘war room’ meetings, which take place every Sunday. It was emphasized that when civil society stands united, the municipality can be forced to act.

The 2025 Summit made it clear: Johannesburg’s residents are done waiting. The city belongs to its people, not corrupt officials or inefficient leadership. With the power of collective action, civil society will continue its fight to save Joburg. The question now is whether city officials will listen—or whether residents will have to escalate their demands even further.