Parks and community facilities in council, 30 January 2025 to 30 September 2026

Topic and sittings covered

This page covers 34 chapters tagged with parks and community facilities across 13 sitting days, from 30 January 2025 to 30 September 2026. The topic takes in parks, libraries, sport, arts, culture or community facilities, and only transcribed sittings are covered.

Performance reports and facility concerns

On 26 March 2025, Cllr Mokome (COPE) tabled items 3 to 6, covering Community Development, Joburg City Parks and Zoo, Joburg City Theatres and a Section 79 oversight report. 26 Mar 01:24:51 Cllr Mokome described mid-term performance as satisfactory but flagged slow repairs and maintenance, saying City Parks and Zoo met almost all targets and City Theatres met all of theirs. 26 Mar 01:24:51 In the debate on items 3 to 6, speakers criticised facility maintenance, closed pools and libraries, and the state of the Johannesburg Art Gallery and cemeteries. 26 Mar 01:28:49 Closing the items 3 to 6 debate, Cllr Mokome said the Johannesburg City Library had partially opened, and the Speaker found the items agreed. 26 Mar 02:03:41

In the State of the City Address debate on 8 May 2025, Cllr Mokome (COPE) raised high venue fees at Dobsonville Stadium and vandalism of Arthur Ashe courts. 08 May 02:12:15 On 31 July 2025, Cllr Cook (GOOD) praised library and sports staff while raising 19% capital spending and recruitment moratoria during debate on items 83 to 86. 31 Jul 05:59:52 MMC Nkokou said the plans in items 83 to 86 were being implemented within financial limits, and the recommendations were agreed without recorded objection. 31 Jul 05:59:52

In the 29 September 2025 debate on fourth quarter reports, the ACDP praised the 28 of 30 KPIs achieved and the UDM welcomed JCPZ's 94% scorecard achievement. 29 Sept 01:53:18 29 Sept 01:57:00 29 Sept 02:08:56 On 29 September 2025, the UDM raised 65% capital spending and a R63 million deficit, and the DA criticised the department's 77% operational spending and irregular expenditure at JCPZ. 29 Sept 02:08:56 29 Sept 02:20:25 MMC Nkokou said the department would look into the councillors' recommendations and get back to them in writing. 29 Sept 02:34:53 promise

On 25 June 2026, items 1 to 4 covered January to March 2026 reports for Community Development, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo and City Theatres, plus a Section 79 oversight report. 25 Jun 05:45:47 Cllr Harris (ACDP) asked how 17 of the city's 57 pools fell into disrepair and questioned the sports participation figures. 25 Jun 05:52:17 Cllr Raholane (EFF) said reported targets must translate into visible service on the ground, and said the EFF supports the recommendation. 25 Jun 06:04:14

Budget allocations, promises and later mentions

In the budget speech on 28 May 2025, Cllr Arnolds (AIC) said R40 million had been availed for the completion of the Johannesburg Art Gallery by November 2026. 28 May 01:20:09 promise Cllr Arnolds said R28 million was allocated to the Johannesburg City Library, and the record lists a promise to reopen it by August 2025. promise On 29 May 2025, Cllr Mokome (COPE) said Johannesburg City Library completion was anticipated by the end of August 2025; an automated check linked this to the promise, rated raised again. promise On 25 June 2026, Cllr Ayanda Mazibuko (DA) said the Johannesburg Art Gallery's collection audit, SAHRA permit and Auditor-General's sign-off remained outstanding; an automated check rated this raised again. promise 25 Jun 05:48:09

On 29 May 2025, MMC Nkokou (PAC) said the Ivory Park and Drieziek MPC swimming pools would be completed by 31 July 2025 and ready for use by 1 September 2025. 29 May 06:22:59 promise MMC Nkokou committed to completing the Matholesville MPC library by 31 August 2025 and the Kaalfontein MPC multipurpose court and library by 30 June 2026. promise promise MMC Nkokou said the Cosmo City swimming pool would be completed once an additional R20 million in funding was secured. promise MMC Nkokou also said an Extreme Park project would be unveiled on 18 July 2025, and announced a virtual zoo with Microsoft and a gorilla enclosure upgrade at the Joburg Zoo. promise promise promise

In the 29 May 2025 budget debate, Cllr Mokome (COPE) noted a R53.1 million shortfall in the sports, recreation, arts and culture department. 29 May 01:14:49 Cllr Mokome (COPE) listed vandalised and unrepaired community facilities during the 29 May 2025 budget debate. 29 May 01:14:49

Parks and Zoo revenue strategy and bylaws

On 2 September 2025, Section 79 committee members asked that item 12, the JCPZ Revenue Enhancement Strategy, be withdrawn for committee discussion. 02 Sept 05:34:38 The Chair of Chairs said a Section 79 committee cannot withdraw an executive report, and the Speaker ruled that item 12 had not been formally withdrawn. 02 Sept 05:34:38 Cllr Mashinini (ANC) supported the item 12 strategy as reducing reliance on municipal funding, while Cllr De Lange (FF+) noted it with concern. 02 Sept 05:44:22 Item 12, the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Revenue Enhancement Strategy, was approved on a show of hands: 163 yes, 66 no, none abstaining, with DA opposition recorded under Rule 84. 02 Sept 05:50:28

On 2 December 2025, council agreed item 28, the report on public consultation on JCPZ bylaws for nature reserves, open spaces, and cemeteries and crematoria, with amended bylaws. 02 Dec 07:35:11 MMC Zungu summarised the JCPZ bylaws consultation, which had 711 participants, and the amendments. 02 Dec 07:35:11 On 2 December 2025, Cllr Sifumba (DA) cited a burial space crisis at City Parks and Zoo, with 38 of 42 cemeteries full. 02 Dec 02:58:16

Naming, leases and oversight visit reports

On 30 January 2025, council approved naming the open space on Erf 1762, Mayfair, as Classic Football Club Ground without objection. 30 Jan 02:15:24 The MMC for Community Development noted over 200 supporting emails and two objections in public participation on the Classic Football Club Ground naming. 30 Jan 02:15:24 On 30 January 2025, council approved a nine-year-and-11-month lease of Portion 1 of Erf 104, Bezuidenhout Valley, to the Bezuidenhout Valley Bowling Club. 30 Jan 02:21:08

On 26 August 2026, items 22 to 28, oversight visit reports including the Pochi cemetery, Drieziek and Orange Farm facilities and the Joburg City Library, were agreed with no speakers. 26 Aug 09:03:25 On 30 September 2026, council carried item 28, a public consultation report on renamings honouring Don Mattera and local icons; the DA abstained and FF+ voted no. 30 Sept 08:52:06 Cllr Raholane (EFF) said 85 of 125 clear submissions supported the renamings honouring Don Mattera and local icons, and 40 objected. 30 Sept 08:52:06