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​​​The end of the year almost always requires that people take stock of the overall annual progress and this is not different in the City of Johannesburg, Africa's economic powerhouse.



It's more than two years since Joburg residents put their faith in the multi-party-led government to bring about visible and long-lasting change in their lives.



​2018's assessment allows everyone concerned: from City officials, legislators in the Council and residents, to track the progress, if any, on whether we are on course towards responding to the needs of the residents of this beautiful city.





Our hard work of turning the City's fortunes around have not gone unnoticed. In October, rating agency, Moody's, affirmed the City's long-term issuer and debt investment-grade ratings of Baa3 (global scale, local currency) and Aa1.za (national scale, local currency) and short-term issuer ratings of P-3 (global scale, local currency) and P-1.za (national scale, local currency).



It follows Global Credit Rating Co, which assigned the City with a long-term rating of AA (za) with the short-term rating at A1 + (za) and a stable outlook, despite the City operating within a deteriorating global and national economic environment and historic challenges inherited by the new administration. Both ratings afforded the City investment-grade status. These ratings affirm the City's sustained position as a pre-eminent investment destination both locally and on the continent.​​



To ensure that the most vulnerable redents of the City are taken care of, Council recently approved a six-month pilot project to provide free travel on Rea Vaya BRT buses for pensioners and people with disabilities. All participants in the pilot will receive smart cards loaded with 20 trips a month to use the service and travel for free. They can reload their cards conveniently at their nearest Rea Vaya customer care centre each month.





The City of Johannesburg continues to provide free basic services to indigent residents. The coalition government has increased the provision of free water to the poorest of Johannesburg's residents from 6kl to up to 15kl through the Expanded Social Package (ESP). Our ESP and provision of basic services to indigents is in line with the guidance provided for by national government.



Through the Diphetogo Project, the Coalition government is redirecting capital expenditure towards engineering services in order to address this historic backlog. It is for these reasons that the coalition government has increased its Capex budget and accelerated its spending from 78% in 2017 to 91 % in 2018, to reduce the backlog.



Through Operation Buya Mthetho, the City of Johannesburg has been steadily winning the war against crime and grime by recapturing hijacked buildings and returning them to their rightful owners. Since the Operation commenced, more than 30 happy property owners recovered their investment.

The City has also embarked on an ambitious project that will see the redevelopment of 84 properties in the inner city. This is expected to inject billions into the City's economy; stimulate multi-million investments; create much-needed work and transform the Joburg skyline. About R2 billion has already been sunk in the Jewel City precinct, which will include over 1 500 residential units, retail, gym and commercial properties.











Thousands of fake goods and apparel worth millions of rand have been confiscated and will be destroyed following successful multiple raids through joint JMPD, SAPS, business and Home Affairs operations to flush out counterfeit items that strangle our economy. The raids have also resulted in scores of undocumented individuals being arrested and handed over to Home Affairs for processing.



To become a more environmentally friendly city, Johannesburg is going green by encouraging residents to get their municipal accounts online. The approach will not only reduce the amount of money spent in printing and posting municipal statements, it now also enables the money to be spent to create better infrastructure, and provide essential and necessary services.

I have the opportunity of being entrusted with leading business in the City Council. This is a responsibility I dare not take lightly. Joburg residents voted for change and we all have to ensure that Councillors, City officials and other key stakeholders, drive that change to ensure that we live up to the promises made to the electorate when we took office.

As we bring the curtain down on 2018, I wish all City of Johannesburg residents, officials and stakeholders, a restful and peaceful festive season. May we all return reinvigorated to tackle challenges in the new year with vigour as we continue to make Joburg the Jewel in South Africa's crown.

When Joburg works, South Africa works!



