Executive Mayor Dada Morero delivered the 2026 State of the City Address (SOCA), outlining the City of Johannesburg’s plans to improve service delivery, stabilise finances, create jobs, and rebuild infrastructure.
Here are the key highlights residents need to know:
Key Focus Areas:
Service Delivery Improvements
The City says it has improved response times to service delivery issues through the Mayoral “Bomb Squad” intervention programme.
Highlights include:
- 724 service delivery cases processed
- Faster restoration of water and electricity services
- Multi-department “War Room” interventions across regions
- Inner City clean-up and by-law enforcement operations
- Infrastructure & Water Projects
Major infrastructure upgrades remain a priority as the City tackles ageing systems and service backlogs.
Projects highlighted include:
- Brixton Reservoir completed
- Midrand Bulk Water Storage Facility under development
- Water pipe replacements exceeding annual targets
- Road resurfacing and bridge upgrades across regions
The City also acknowledged major infrastructure challenges, including water losses, electricity losses, and ageing infrastructure estimated at more than R220 billion.
Economy, Jobs & Investment
Johannesburg remains South Africa’s economic hub, contributing 15% to the national GDP.
According to the Mayor:
- 23 000 net jobs were created in the latest quarter
- R26.6 billion in investment was attracted into the City
- Johannesburg is currently implementing R73 billion worth of infrastructure and development projects
Key projects include:
- Microsoft’s R5.4 billion data centre investment
- Southern Farms Mega City Project
- Lanseria Smart City development
- Waste-to-energy partnership projects
Inner City Revitalisation
The Mayor said the City continues to reclaim and revitalise the Johannesburg Inner City through:
- Urban renewal projects
- Precinct safety operations
- Action against hijacked buildings
- Public-private partnerships
- Improvements to De Villiers Street and surrounding precincts
Financial Recovery
The City adopted a fully funded R89.4 billion budget for 2025/26 and says it is implementing reforms to improve governance and financial sustainability.
Measures announced include:
- Debt relief for qualifying residents
- Revenue collection reforms
- Disposal of non-strategic assets
- Ring-fencing utility revenues for infrastructure investment
What’s Next?
The City says its priorities going forward include:
- Job creation for young people
- Water and energy security
- Digital transformation and AI-enabled governance
- Safer communities
- Continued infrastructure rehabilitation
- Economic growth and investment attraction
Read the Full Speech:
20/05/2026Recommended for you:
2026 Mayoral Speeches
LIVE TODAY | State of the City Address 2026 (SOCA)
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