The City of Johannesburg’s commitment to participatory governance was on full display as residents from all 16 wards in Region E gathered at Marlboro Community Hall for a crucial Integrated Development Planning (IDP) engagement.
The session drew a strong turnout, underscoring the community’s eagerness to shape the city’s development priorities and hold leadership accountable on service delivery.
Chaired by Council Speaker Cllr Margaret Arnold, the meeting brought together members of the mayoral committee and city officials, led by City Manager Dr Floyd Brink. The platform created a direct line of engagement between residents and decision-makers, allowing pressing community concerns to be raised candidly.
Residents voiced a range of service delivery challenges affecting their daily lives. Among the most urgent issues were deteriorating road conditions marked by potholes, persistent sewer blockages, and water supply disruptions linked to ageing infrastructure. Illegal dumping and frequent electricity outages also featured prominently, with particular concern raised in Ward 108, where some residents reported prolonged electricity interruptions since January.
Healthcare services also came under scrutiny. Community members called for the 4th Avenue Clinic in Alexandra to operate on a 24-hour basis and for increased staffing capacity to reduce long waiting times, highlighting the growing demand for accessible and efficient primary healthcare services in the area.
Cllr Ennie Makhafola, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg and acting Executive Mayor during the session, assured residents that their concerns had been noted and would inform the city’s planning and budgeting processes.
Cllr Makhafola said the 2026/2027 financial year would see focused investment in key infrastructure, including attention to the Alexandra Stadium. She also reassured residents that measures are being put in place to secure reliable backup water supply for local clinics, ensuring continuity of essential health services.
City Power is implementing projects aimed at replacing ageing and faulty electricity infrastructure across Region E. Johannesburg Water continues to tackle sewer leaks and blockages through its active sewer leak response programme, despite operating under constrained resources. Meanwhile, the Johannesburg Roads Agency is addressing road maintenance backlogs, with several resurfacing projects already completed in parts of the region.
ISSUED BY THE CITY OF JOHANNEESBURG
