Mayor Morero takes Joburg’s challenges by the horns with bold renewal agenda

Facing mounting urban decay, financial strain, and deep-rooted service delivery backlogs, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero is making it clear: the city’s challenges will not be met with rhetoric, but with decisive, bold action.

In a series of recent engagements and policy declarations, Morero has signalled a hands-on approach to inner-city revitalisation, infrastructure renewal, and economic inclusion — a multi-pronged strategy to reshape Johannesburg’s future.

This week, Morero joined the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (SAIBPP) for the Inner-City Investment Open Dialogue, where he outlined comprehensive plans to unlock the potential of the inner city — Johannesburg’s geographic and economic heart. “The inner city is not just a place. It is a symbol of our national urban economy and a hub of cultural richness and entrepreneurial energy,” Morero said.

“But it’s also a space that has been neglected, hijacked, and allowed to decay. That must change.”Through the Inner City Revitalisation Programme, the City aims to repurpose 500 derelict buildings by 2026 into affordable housing, student accommodations, and commercial hubs. With the help of the Johannesburg Property Company, strategic parcels of land and municipal properties are being unblocked for redevelopment, creating opportunities for both public and private sector investment.

Morero’s plan goes beyond bricks and mortar. The city is stepping up law enforcement to restore safety and the rule of law, introducing smarter surveillance systems and operationalising housing courts to fast-track eviction proceedings and resolve disputes linked to unlawful occupations. “This is a war room approach to service delivery,” said Morero.

“We are embedding safety, cleanliness, and order back into the streets of Johannesburg.”A critical pillar of his administration’s vision lies in tackling the city’s energy and infrastructure crises, amid ongoing national electricity instability, the City is accelerating its energy sustainability strategy, which seeks to reduce reliance on Eskom by integrating distributed energy generation and storage solutions into the municipal grid.

“Our goal is to guarantee conventional power while building a more resilient and independent energy future for Joburg,” Morero explained.

To address historic underinvestment, particularly in marginalised communities, the city has committed over R3 billion in infrastructure upgrades across eight underserved regions, including Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Ivory Park, Orange Farm, and Eldorado Park.

These projects aim to transform these areas into livable, connected, and economically active communities.

Despite limited resources and an unstable financial position, Morero insists the solution lies in collaboration, not isolation.

“We cannot fix Johannesburg’s problems alone. We need national and provincial governments, business, labour, and civil society walking this road with us,” he said. “The people of Joburg want electricity, water, safety, transportation, and housing — and they deserve nothing less.”As Johannesburg’s 104th mayor, a number he says reflects the city’s democratic journey, Morero has pledged to govern with accountability and empathy.

“Yes, the challenges are complex. But this is our home. And out of love for Johannesburg, we will reimagine, rebuild, and restore it together,” he concluded.