Johannesburg’s recent governance has been marked by fluctuating coalition politics, with no single party holding a majority in the city council.
Dada Morero, representing an ANC-led coalition that includes Action SA and several smaller parties, was elected as the new mayor.
His predecessor, Kabelo Gwamanda from the Al Jama-ah party, was selected last year as a compromise between the ANC and its then-coalition partner, the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Civil society groups blame this political instability for worsening issues in essential services such as water, electricity, and road maintenance.
“There’s no coherence in policy,” remarked Neeshan Balton, executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and co-convenor of the Joburg Crisis Alliance.
Neeshan Balton criticized the constant turnover of Johannesburg mayors, stating that “each and every [mayor] runs their portfolio as their own personal fiefdom.”
His comments come after the Joburg Crisis Alliance, which he co-convenes, held a protest last month demanding the resignation of former mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.
In response, Gwamanda defended his tenure, claiming he “managed to place good governance on course”.
Johannesburg, a sprawling city of about 6 million people, presents stark contrasts between affluent areas like the financial district of Sandton, known as “Africa’s richest square mile,” and neglected downtown neighborhoods plagued by gang-controlled apartment blocks.
Johannesburg, home to most of South Africa’s major companies, produce about 15% of the nation’s financial output, based on government assessments.
Following its poor performance in May’s national election, where it lost its majority, the ANC has identified inadequate service delivery in metropolitan areas as a key issue.
To address this, the party is focusing on stabilizing local governance, starting with Johannesburg.
ANC spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi emphasized this focus during a briefing last week, stating, “Part of what the ANC is going to do now is to focus very seriously on the local government sphere.
“And we’re starting in Johannesburg.” Dada Morero, who briefly served as mayor for 25 days in 2022 before a court reinstated his predecessor, is now tasked with leading these efforts.