Johannesburg Matters: Kickstarting Delivery – Joburg’s Mission Critical jobs

The third report in CDE’s Johannesburg Matters series, Kickstarting Delivery – Joburg’s Mission Critical Jobs makes the case that Johannesburg will not be fixed unless its next government puts capable people in charge of the institutions responsible for running the city. Since 2016, Johannesburg has had nine mayors and eight coalition administrations. At the top of municipal entities and departments, political allegiance has generally taken precedence over skills and experience in many crucial appointments. None of the members of the Johannesburg Water board is a professionally qualified engineer, while at least seven of the City’s 24 most senior management positions are occupied by acting appointees. Johannesburg’s own annual reports point to persistent vacancies among engineers, finance professionals, ICT specialists, project managers and supply-chain experts. CDE argues that the incoming administration should start by getting the most important appointments right: the city manager, senior officials and the leadership of the major utilities: Johannesburg Water, City Power and Pikitup. CDE calls on political parties contesting the November election to commit publicly to appointments based on competence, experience and integrity – and keeping political office-bearers out of procurement, appointments and operational decisions. This report draws in part on a commissioned paper which is available in the link below: The Crisis of Johannesburg: An agenda for reform (September 2026), by Ivor Chipkin.

Read Full Report The Crisis of Johannesburg Media Release