Johannesburg in Brief: City Improvement Districts

In March 2026, CDE hosted a discussion led by Katlego Dikobe, general manager of the Gauteng Precinct Management Association. The discussion focused on the role city improvement districts (CIDs) play in addressing the increasing failures of the Johannesburg metro government. CIDs are neighbourhood associations, often led by business owners and established in mixed-use neighbourhoods. They are ideally set up to complement the work of the municipality. In practice, Johannesburg CIDs are increasingly being pushed to take on aspects of basic service delivery that the Johannesburg metro is not providing. In more residential areas without significant business communities, resident associations (RAs) play a similar role, while in many township areas, community groups are organising around cleaning, safety, and other area issues. In these communities many members contribute their time and labour to improve their neighbourhoods. CIDs and RAs create invaluable channels for residents and business owners to engage with the Johannesburg government, to organise together and improve their neighbourhoods. How these kinds of structures could fit into a new, more effective way to manage a city seeking to turn itself around is an important issue for the next mayor of Johannesburg.

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