Thursday, 8 May 2025 · 4 h 5 min · 2 videos · 2021–2026 council
State of the City Address Debate
AI draft.Written by AI from the livestream and not yet checked by a person. Use the timestamps to check anything before you quote it.
- Governance and appointments
- Budget and finances
- Services, housing and development
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (6)
- ◯Quorum count (1)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (2)
Chapters, decisions and procedure are AI drafts from the livestream; topic tags are AI judgments (a chapter with several shows its strongest). Services, housing and development covers water, electricity, roads, housing, waste, safety, health, planning and community facilities.
Summary
Council met to debate the Executive Mayor's State of the City Address, with parties responding in turn before the Mayor, Cllr Morero, replied. 00:15:05 03:29:52 The Speaker announced that 152 councillors were present, so there was a quorum, and the apologies tabled by caucuses were noted. 00:09:36 00:10:17
The ANC, AIC, UDM, PAC and COPE backed the address, while the DA said it would bring a motion of no confidence in the Executive Mayor. 00:22:26 00:34:46 00:55:30 02:04:44 02:12:15 02:42:19 03:17:54 The FF+ and the PA MMC opposed rotating MMCs and senior managers, and the UIM raised concerns about it, while the PAC supported rotation guided by performance and ethics. 00:28:47 01:03:47 01:57:36 02:04:44
The Speaker rejected a point of order from Cllr Pietersen (DA) over ANC speakers sharing time, and later asked that Cllr Modukanene continue after ANC objections over her remarks on Alexandra. 00:50:07 02:30:56 The sitting paused for a 7-minute break to call back the Executive Mayor, who was out of the chamber, and Cllr Zigebe reported the network and livestream were not working. 01:02:35 01:20:12
In reply, the Mayor cited the 2021 Municipal Staff Regulations on staff transfers and said the turnaround strategy will be published by the Presidential Task Team, with councillors able to make submissions. 03:37:58 03:41:41 He said the availability charge was kept unchanged and promised to answer concerns raised, including Stjwetla, through the budget speech, before council adjourned for lunch ahead of an extraordinary meeting. 03:55:47 04:03:41
AI draft from the record of this sitting (Claude Opus 5.5), checked against the chapters; every sentence links to the moment. Report an error
This week in council: State of the City week: acting senior manager arrangements pass 112 for, 62 against
In brief
- 6 decisions: 4 approved, 1 rejected, 1 noted or other.
- 4 promises on record, including: A container will be delivered to the kwaMai-Mai facility chair for her work space, as the hall renovations near completion.
- 1 quorum count.
- 41 apologies read out. Not ready when called: 1; Sound or equipment problem: 4; MMC or Mayor not present for their business: 1; Warned or stopped by the chair: 4.
Chapters
39What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:01:22
Opening, prayer and notice of the meeting
The Speaker was welcomed into the chamber and a moment of prayer or meditation was observed. The meeting notice was read, with protocol greetings to the Executive Mayor and others, and the State of the City debate was introduced. Much of the audio in this stretch is inaudible.
Report an error - 00:09:36
Quorum confirmed
After a long gap, the Speaker called the chamber to order. She announced that 152 councillors were present, so there was a quorum and the meeting continued.
Report an error - 00:10:17
Applications for leave of absence
Caucus representatives tabled apologies, late arrivals and early departures for their members, citing ill health, private, party or council business, and bereavements. Councillor Cook said he would need to be excused if proceedings ran past 17:00. The Speaker asked whether the apologies were noted and moved on.
Avant-SmithHarrisACDPSimonsePAArnoldsAICMakhubaIFPDammieANCMposulaActionSACookGOOD
Report an error - 00:15:05
Start of the State of the City debate and UDM technical delay
The Speaker opened the party debate on the State of the City Address and called the UDM first. Councillor Zigebe asked for time to set up his devices, so the Speaker called the next speaker and said she would return to him.
Report an error - 00:15:46
ATM response to the State of the City Address
The ATM said it agrees with the Mayor's diagnosis of the city and read out residents' complaints on services, crime, illegal mining and unemployment. It cautioned the Mayor to tread carefully on rotating senior managers because of labour law. It said it stands ready to support the Mayor's recovery plan.
Report an error - 00:22:26
UDM response to the State of the City Address
The UDM spoke in support of the address and went through the departments' programmes: water, electricity, roads, housing, public safety, economic development and finance. It criticised opposition members for what it called heckling and gallery politics, and said the administration is governing under strain.
Report an error - 00:28:47
Freedom Front Plus response
The FF+ member spoke in Afrikaans with an English translation, marking 100 years of Afrikaans. He said the speech did not answer the city's decay, criticised capital funding from loans, and argued that 20% of taxes from Regions A, B and C should be ring-fenced for local infrastructure. He opposed rotating MMCs and senior managers.
Report an error - 00:34:46
ANC response to the State of the City Address
The ANC caucus affirmed the Mayor's address and praised the High Impact Service Delivery Programme. Its speaker criticised the opposition over the removal of MMC protectors and the motion of no confidence. The speech covered inner-city revitalisation, informal trading, electrification of informal settlements, the Southern Farms development, the WUWM conference and youth empowerment.
Report an error - 00:50:07
Point of order on ANC speaking-time arrangement
The ANC MMC speaking ran out of time and asked to take time from two ANC colleagues, Councillors Ngwenya and Radebe. Councillor Pietersen raised a point of order, saying a precedent required such arrangements before speaking. The Speaker ruled that the time belonged to the ANC to divide as it saw fit and added two minutes.
MthembuActionSANomoya MnisiANCPietersenDA
Report an error - 00:55:30
AIC response to the State of the City Address
The AIC supported the address, citing the Lufhereng and Southern Farms developments, the R296 million for electrifying informal settlements and inner-city renewal. It backed the target of collecting R200 million a day. It criticised the DA's motion of no confidence in the Mayor and Speaker.
Report an error - 01:02:35
Network and livestream problems raised
Councillor Zigebe said the chamber network and the councillors' own networks were not working. He worried that residents outside might not be able to follow the livestream. The Speaker said the matter would be taken up with IT.
Report an error - 01:03:47
UIM response to the State of the City Address
The UIM member offered observations, suggestions and questions, marking 100 years of Afrikaans. He raised concerns about the rotation of MMCs and senior managers, asked when and where the Midrand housing and jobs would be delivered, and asked for regulation of recyclers. He asked that the turnaround plan be shared with councillors and published in local newspapers.
Report an error - 01:09:05
IFP response to the State of the City Address
The IFP spoke about political instability and the high turnover of mayors, and supported the Mayor's war on criminality and hijacked buildings. It welcomed the new mega housing developments, and said revenue collection must be tightened and capital investment should exceed R10 billion. It closed by wishing Kaizer Chiefs well in the Nedbank Cup final.
Report an error - 01:14:31
ACDP response to the State of the City Address
The ACDP said it would try to describe the city it wants to see, but criticised the exclusion of Westbury, Newclare, Bosmont, Coronationville and Kliptown from the priority housing areas. It called for waste-to-energy initiatives and SAPS integration with the ops centres. It noted that capital expenditure is only 8.3% of the budget and that 42.2% of it is funded by loans. It called the proposed bomb squad an insult to existing staff.
Report an error - 01:20:12
Lost property, comfort break and Mayor's return
The Speaker announced found items in the chamber. Councillor Sifumba asked for a comfort break because the Mayor was absent during the debate. The Speaker called a 7-minute break to fetch the Mayor, and the chamber resumed at about 01:37 with the Mayor back.
Report an error - 01:38:29
Second ANC response (Cllr Ngwenya)
The ANC councillor said he would speak in point form on the Mayor's 12 key focus areas. These included law enforcement, working traffic lights and street lights, youth opportunities, inner-city precinct upgrades and digital infrastructure. He also covered the war room and bomb squad, fiscal discipline and public-private partnerships. He criticised the opposition and the former DA-led coalition.
Report an error - 01:51:04
GOOD Party response to the State of the City Address
GOOD called the address a masterclass in political spin and questioned the unity of the GLU. It welcomed the R3.03 billion investment in neglected communities and the township economy reforms. It raised concerns about the bomb squad, private-sector partnerships without equity clauses, the lack of a climate adaptation plan, migration framing and the absence of anti-corruption measures. It cautioned the Mayor against making promises he does not deliver.
Report an error - 01:57:36
PA response (MMC Kunene)
The PA MMC agreed that Johannesburg needs a turnaround strategy but opposed rotating MMCs. He said the Mayor was not empowered to rotate Section 56 managers, who are appointed by council. He raised Eldorado Park, Davidsonville and Glenesk complaints, including exclusion from Southern Farms housing and divisive budget allocation. He said the GLU is dealing with problems inherited from the DA administration.
Report an error - 02:04:44
PAC response to the State of the City Address
The PAC welcomed the address and supported spatial justice, electrification, inner-city revitalisation and the mega housing developments. It supported rotating MMCs and senior managers, describing rotation as democracy in motion that must be guided by performance and ethics. It recommitted to a safe, just and African Johannesburg.
Report an error - 02:10:38
PAC announcement on ANC-Afrikaner meeting and Afrikaans centenary
The MMC for Community Development announced that the PAC facilitated a meeting between the ANC and the Afrikaner Leadership Network the previous day. He congratulated Afrikaans on 100 years of official recognition and said his office is open to the Afrikaner community and every other group.
Report an error - 02:12:15
COPE response: sports, recreation, arts and culture
COPE's Cllr Mokome responded to the State of the City Address from a sports, recreation, arts and culture angle. He raised high venue fees at Dobsonville Stadium, vandalism of Arthur Ashe courts, a closed library in Orange Farm and the loss of the Nedbank Cup final hosting. He called for a dedicated bid and hosting committee and affirmed COPE's support for the address.
Report an error - 02:19:13
Al Jama-ah response: Lenasia and southern communities
Al Jama-ah's Cllr Karolia noted that Lenasia was not mentioned in the address. He described problems with roads, water leaks, street lighting and ageing utility networks. He welcomed the focus on underserved areas, market reform and digital infrastructure, and asked that the market reform be extended to southern markets.
Report an error - 02:25:36
ActionSA response begins: critique of the address
ActionSA's Cllr Modukanene began by criticising the Executive Mayor's address as lacking substance and accountability. She compared it with the 2024 address under former Mayor Gwamanda and said ActionSA's pre-State of the City input had gone unanswered. The Speaker also asked Cllr Karolia to switch off his mic.
ModukaneneActionSAMthembuActionSA
Report an error - 02:30:56
Points of order over Alexandra claims and mic disruptions
While Cllr Modukanene spoke about Alexandra, the Chair of Chairs and Cllr Raphadu objected that a councillor without a ward there was speaking for Alex residents. The Speaker took the point of order from the Chair of Chairs, said she should not have acknowledged a second one, and appealed for tolerance and free speech. She asked that Cllr Modukanene be allowed to continue.
MthembuActionSAMaremaANCRaphaduANC
Report an error - 02:34:26
ActionSA response continues: Alexandra, infrastructure and Mashaba legacy
Cllr Modukanene continued, criticising the omission of Alexandra, the electricity surcharge, the R300 billion infrastructure backlog and 46% water losses. She set out ActionSA's alternatives, including solar street lights, boreholes and insourcing, and welcomed the war on illegal immigration and illegal mining. She also objected to the Mayor's remarks on former Mayor Mashaba.
Report an error - 02:41:39
Interjection by Cllr Zigebe
After Cllr Modukanene finished, the Speaker called on Cllr Zigebe, who commented on her speech in isiZulu and English. The Speaker told him she was done and asked councillors to calm down before moving to the DA.
Report an error - 02:42:19
DA response: governance, transparency and no-confidence motion
The DA's Cllr Echeozonjoku criticised the address for lacking tangible solutions and raised concerns about the restructuring of officials, the Presidential Working Group's terms of reference and the turnaround strategy not being tabled in council. She raised electricity, water, sewage, informal settlement electrification, hijacked buildings, JPC advertising revenue and the indigent register. She said the DA would bring a motion of no confidence in the Executive Mayor.
Report an error - 03:07:01
EFF response: service delivery and township economy
The EFF's Cllr Mkasi said the Government of Local Unity remained intact and noted gains in public safety and health and social development. He criticised potholes, waste, delayed mega projects, water and electricity outages and the lack of township economy support. He opposed the Bomb Squad and called for an audit of housing projects and a review of municipal entities.
Report an error - 03:17:54
ANC response: support for the address and turnaround strategy
The ANC's Cllr Radebe gave the ANC's vote of confidence in the address, backing the turnaround strategy, the Presidential Support Package and the Bomb Squad as a high-impact team. He said the city is recovering through investment, revenue improvement and clean governance. He called on all parties to help rebuild the city.
Report an error - 03:29:52
Executive Mayor's reply: opening and Afrikaans acknowledgement
The Executive Mayor began his reply by greeting the chamber and acknowledging Afrikaans-speaking councillors. He recalled 11 official languages and referred to Cllr Harris's input. He thanked parties that brought constituency voices rather than punching holes in his speech.
Report an error - 03:34:56
Mayor explains how the State of the City Address was prepared
The Mayor said drafting began six months earlier. He listed the November Mayoral Lekgotla attended by national ministers, stakeholder engagements, the mid-year SDBIP and budget adjustment, and IDP consultations. He said the address was informed by these processes.
Report an error - 03:37:58
Presidential Support Package and turnaround strategy
The Mayor said he asked the President for the Presidential Support Package and received a positive response. He said the turnaround strategy will be published by the Presidential Task Team in due course and that councillors may make submissions. He also described the role of a mayor.
Report an error - 03:41:41
Mayor responds on staff transfers, structure and council reports
The Mayor cited the 2021 Municipal Staff Regulations, saying staff may be transferred for operational requirements and that only the city manager is a Section 57 employee. He cited the Municipal Structures Act as giving him authority over the Mayoral Committee. He listed the reports that must come to council and said the city would not act outside council regulations.
Report an error - 03:46:16
Mayor on informal settlements, business feedback and the Bomb Squad
The Mayor said informal settlements rose from 180 to 319 between 2016 and 2021 and left the chamber to judge. He said business, government and civil society had supported the direction of the address. He explained the Bomb Squad concept, borrowed from the Springbok bench strategy.
Report an error - 03:50:33
Mayor on Lanseria renaming and the Midrand mega housing project
The Mayor said Lanseria airport management is considering renaming the facility and that the City supports this. He told Cllr Mabaso that the city is focused on mega housing projects, citing an 80,000-opportunity project in Midrand.
Report an error - 03:52:34
Mayor on comparisons with Cape Town
The Mayor said the City benchmarks against the best in the world and objected to constant comparisons with DA-governed cities. He said Cape Town has about 800 informal settlements and spends the lowest on the informal settlement grant, and asked the DA to explain why.
Report an error - 03:55:47
Mayor on the budget and availability charge
The Mayor said the coming budget would reflect the concerns raised, including Stjwetla in Cllr Tefu's ward. He said the availability charge was kept unchanged in the adjustment budget and that ESP customers are exempt. He explained that supporting business and industry is meant to lift GDP growth.
Report an error - 03:58:52
Mayor's closing remarks and response to ActionSA
The Mayor called for unity and constructive contributions from all parties. He defended his reference to former Mayor Mashaba's book The Accidental Mayor and told ActionSA to contribute and allow itself to be engaged. He ended with a remark about ActionSA's own State of the City Address.
Report an error - 04:03:41
Announcements and adjournment for lunch
The Speaker thanked councillors and the Mayor and noted that an extraordinary council meeting was scheduled for 14:30. Councillors indicated they wanted lunch, so the Speaker adjourned for a break and set 3:30 for resumption.
Report an error
Promises
4Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 5 November 2026 (when this page was built): 0 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 4 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
No dateNomoya Mnisi · MMC for Economic Development
Not raised again in 27 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“and your container will be delivered.”
No dateMlungisi Mabaso · MMC for Human Settlements
Latest: Raised again at a later sitting, 22 July 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 3 later sittings · 1 City report
“Proclamation of all townships for the rolling out of the title deeds”
- In progressEFF on Human Settlements and JOSHCO · 30 July 2025
- In progressItems 16-18: Human Settlements and JOSHCO, opening debate · 29 September 2025
- Raised againItems 20-22: MMC Mabaso responds · 22 July 2026
- City says under wayCity newsroom, 25 Mar 2026: Mayor Morero hands over title deeds to families in Region G
“The Department of Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg handed over 1,083 title deeds this week, granting legal ownership to beneficiaries”
No dateBelinda Cynthia Echeozonjoku · DA
The DA will bring a motion of no confidence in the Executive Mayor in council.
Latest: Said in progress at a later sitting, 2 December 2025 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 3 later sittings
“we are going to bring a motion of no confidence in this house”
- Raised againItem 2: DA criticises SDBIP indicators · 29 May 2025
- Done, they sayStatement by the Executive Mayor · 25 June 2025 · and 7 more moments that day
- In progressOrder of business and quorum count · 2 December 2025
No dateDada Morero · Executive Mayor
03:55:47· by soon, through the budget speech· Report an error
Not raised again in 27 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“we will be passing a budget soon. We will reflect on all the projects”
Decisions
6What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 00:10:03
Quorumapproved
The Speaker announced that 152 councillors were present, so there was a quorum and the meeting continued.
- 00:14:53
Applications for leave of absenceapproved
The apologies, late arrivals and early departures tabled by caucuses were noted by the Speaker.
- 00:51:32
Point of order on the ANC sharing speaking timerejected
The Speaker rejected Councillor Pietersen's objection, ruling that the ANC may divide its allocated time among its own speakers.
- 00:51:47
Extension of MMC Mnisi's speaking timeapproved
Two minutes were added to MMC Mnisi's speech, taken as one minute each from Councillors Ngwenya and Radebe.
- 01:21:13
Comfort break requested by Councillor Sifumbaapproved
The Speaker adjourned for a 7-minute comfort break to call the Executive Mayor back to the chamber.
- 04:04:13
Adjournment of the State of the City Address debateadjourned
Council broke for lunch before the extraordinary council meeting that had been scheduled for 14:30, to resume at 3:30 (15:30).
Attendance and conduct
51Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 41
- Ill health (12)
- Unidentified councillor*, Masera, Maake, Lobi, Johnson, Unidentified councillor*, Nenemba, Ngwenya*, Ntoele, Molefe*, Modupi, Unidentified councillor*
- Arriving late (10)
- Mnisi*, Kreusch, Kunene, Mhlongo, Khanyile, Nyembe*, Unidentified councillor*, Nyaqela, Bini, Ntshidi
- Party business (4)
- Mkhonza, Ponsonby, Wissler, Mabelebele
- Family responsibility (1)
- Baloyi
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Not ready when called 1
Sound or equipment problem 4
- 01:03:16
Zigebe*: Cllr Zigebe reported that the chamber network and livestream were not working.
- 02:26:04
Karolia*: The chair asked Cllr Karolia to switch off a microphone that was still open.
- 02:31:24
Modukanene*: The chair raised a microphone problem during Cllr Modukanene's speech and asked councillors to stop playing with the mics.
- 02:31:45
The chair asked IT staff for a roving microphone.
MMC or Mayor not present for their business 1
- 01:20:34
The Executive Mayor was out of the chamber during the debate on his State of the City Address, and the sitting paused until he returned.
Warned or stopped by the chair 4
- 00:51:32
Pietersen*: The Speaker ordered Cllr Pietersen to sit down after his point of order about time sharing.
- 02:19:02
Mokome: The chair told Cllr Mokome his speaking time had run out.
- 02:42:12
Zigebe: The chair turned down Cllr Zigebe's intervention because the speaker had already finished.
- 02:55:46
Tefu: The chair called Cllr Tefu to order while Cllr Echeozonjoku was speaking.
Transcript
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