Wednesday, 20 May 2026 · 3 h 3 min · 1 video · 2021–2026 council
State of the City Address
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.
- Budget and finances
- Services, housing and development
- Other business (no topic tag)
- Procedure: roll call, apologies, breaks
- Decision (3)
- ‖Adjourned or paused (1)
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.
The Executive Mayor, Cllr Morero, delivered the State of the City Address at a Cathedral church that the Speaker declared a precinct of Council for the day. 01:35:28 01:44:16 Council approved leave of absence with no objection recorded, and deferred party comments and the mayor's response to the next day at 10:00. 01:36:54 02:54:22
Cllr Morero reported a fully funded R89.4 billion 2025/26 budget and announced the sale of the vacant land debtors' book, valued at R23.2 billion. 02:06:26 On Eskom's latest notice, he said the city would work with the Minister and SALGA rather than fight Eskom, and expected a €200 million KfW loan before the end of June 2026. 02:09:54 He also said a street will be renamed to honour Trevor Huddleston. 02:12:14
Reviewing last year's commitments, he said 14 of 17 tasks were achieved, a score of 82.3%, and admitted the social and community capital strategy target was not achieved. 02:37:53 Looking ahead, he cited infrastructure backlogs above R220 billion, non-revenue water losses of 44% and electricity losses of 27%. 02:43:04
Microphones failed during apologies, and Cllr Dlanjwa (EFF) raised a point of order that councillors on his side could not hear; the Speaker noted it and moved on. 01:29:39 01:36:54
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: Council rejects KfW loan: 129 for, 94 against, short of the 136 votes needed
In brief
Chapters
18What was discussed, in order. Click a time to watch.
- 00:32:48
Ceremonial parade and inspection
A ceremonial parade was formed and the Executive Mayor, the Speaker, the Chief Whip and the heads of JMPD and EMS were welcomed. The Executive Mayor took the general salute and inspected the parade. Guests and media were asked not to cross the parade space.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 00:43:07
National anthem and march-past
The national anthem was sung with the national salute, and the Executive Mayor acknowledged the march-past. Guests were then asked to move into the council chamber.
1 unidentified
Report an error - 01:29:39
Applications for leave of absence
The Speaker called for apologies and the whips from several parties read out names of absent councillors with reasons. IFP, ANC, PA, a further unidentified councillor, the DA bench and the ACDP all gave apologies. Several guests were also welcomed.
ArnoldsAICMakhubaIFPNdlelaANCSimonsePASmitFF+HarrisACDP
Report an error - 01:35:28
Declaration of the church as a council precinct
The Speaker read out the definition of the precinct of Council. She declared the church a council precinct for the day, and then asked that the leave of absence be accepted.
Report an error - 01:36:54
Point of order on inaudible sound
After the Executive Mayor was called to speak, Cllr Dlanjwa raised a point of order that councillors on his side could not hear anything. He asked for the sound to be fixed and complained about the seating. The Speaker took note, the mayor tested the microphone, and the sitting continued.
Report an error - 01:44:16
Executive Mayor's opening and acknowledgements
The Executive Mayor thanked the Cathedral for hosting the address. He sang the anthem and acknowledged the Speaker, Chief Whip, Deputy Mayor, MMCs, the Premier, Helen Zille, party leaders and other guests.
Report an error - 01:50:30
The foundation: demographics, services and labour market
The Executive Mayor framed the address around a solid foundation for the future. He cited population and household numbers, a 1% GDP growth rate and service-access percentages. He compared Johannesburg's Q1 2026 labour market and medical aid figures with Cape Town.
Also discussed: Item 32: Economic Growth Strategy and Implementation Plan (30 September 2026)
Report an error - 02:06:26
City finances and asset disposal
The Executive Mayor reported on the fully funded R89.4 billion 2025/26 budget, revenue growth and a debt relief programme. He gave debt-to-revenue, employee cost and interest cost ratios. He announced the sale of the vacant land debtors' book valued at R23.2 billion.
Also discussed: Item 4: GOOD on December 2025 in-year report (26 February 2026) · Budget speech: acknowledgements, city context and service backlogs (27 May 2026)
Report an error - 02:09:54
Eskom notice and City Power turnaround
The Executive Mayor said the city takes Eskom's latest notice seriously and will work with the Minister and SALGA rather than fight Eskom. He described City Power's turnaround plan and entity reform. He said an agreement in principle exists with KfW for a €200 million loan expected before the end of June 2026.
Report an error - 02:12:14
Service delivery, Bomb Squad and inner city precinct
The Executive Mayor reported on bylaw enforcement, the Mayoral High Impact Programme and the Bomb Squad's escalation results. He thanked the Cathedral for hosting the address and said a street will be renamed to honour Trevor Huddleston. He described the Desmond Tutu precinct as part of inner city rebirth.
Report an error - 02:16:53
Investment, partnerships and intergovernmental support
The Executive Mayor thanked investors and cited peace with labour, the Presidential Support Intervention Package and R26.6 billion of attracted investment. He listed international events hosted and R73 billion of infrastructure projects under way, including the Microsoft data centre and waste-to-energy partnership. He noted ring-fencing of utility revenue and a R7.5 billion capital budget.
Also discussed: Budget speech: alternative funding, maintenance and investment attraction (27 May 2026)
Report an error - 02:22:25
Scorecard: energy, housing and catalytic projects
The Executive Mayor reported on last year's commitments, covering energy sustainability outputs, EV charging stations and housing and development approvals. He covered catalytic projects such as Lufhereng and Southern Farms, with a R2.4 billion Lufhereng allocation. He also covered the hostel redevelopment plan and informal settlement electrification.
Also discussed: Service delivery priorities and high-impact programmes (7 May 2025)
Report an error - 02:26:25
Inner city revitalisation and Lanseria airport renaming
The Executive Mayor listed the inner city investment pipeline and said Metro Centre is not negotiable. He reported the completed Brixton reservoir and additional storage planned for Midrand by 2027. He announced he had sent a letter of support for Lanseria to be called Lanseria Johannesburg International Airport.
Report an error - 02:32:05
Water, roads and waste performance
The Executive Mayor gave water network figures and a shortfall in pipe replacement against target. He reported JRA road and bridge outputs and asked JRA to complete Jabulani Bridge and start Naledi Bridge. He acknowledged that landfill space is running out and reported waste diversion and illegal dumping results.
Report an error - 02:37:53
Mega housing, intelligence centre, CEO partnership and overall score
The Executive Mayor reported on Grand Central housing, the Integrated Intelligence Operation Centre and the Bomb Squad. He quoted partner feedback on the CEO City Partnership Programme. He said 14 of 17 tasks were achieved, a score of 82.3%, and admitted the social and community capital strategy target was not achieved.
Report an error - 02:43:04
Outlook: jobs, backlogs, safety and digital governance
The Executive Mayor set out priorities for 2026/27, including revenue protection, economic diversification, job creation and reform of trading entities. He cited infrastructure backlogs above R220 billion, non-revenue water losses of 44% and electricity losses of 27%. He called for safety, digital transformation by 2027 and no tolerance of corruption.
Also discussed: Budget speech: acknowledgements, city context and service backlogs (27 May 2026)
Report an error - 02:48:19
Sport, closing remarks and prayer
The Executive Mayor spoke about sport and events returning to Johannesburg and replied to opposition criticism ahead of the next day's debate. He closed with a prayer.
Report an error - 02:54:22
Announcements and adjournment
The Speaker thanked the Executive Mayor and said party comments and the mayor's response would take place the next day at 10:00. She announced that hard copies of the speech would be handed out and thanked the media and officials. The Secretary of Council then directed the order of departure.
Report an error
Promises
6Commitments with a date, an amount or a 'we will'.
On 5 November 2026 (when this page was built): 1 overdue, 0 due in the next 30 days, 3 with no date. Overdue first; dates are AI readings of what was said; tap or hover a label for how. All promises.
Overdue by 128 daysDada Morero · Executive Mayor
The city and City Power will finalise the contract so KfW pays out the loan for energy projects.
02:11:46· by before the end of June 2026· 200 million euros· Report an error
Latest: City says under way, 27 May 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 3 later sittings · 1 City report
“KfW will be dispensing the agreed loan amount before the end of June 2026.”
- In progressItem 1 tabled: KfW loan agreement · 21 May 2026 · and 1 more moment that day
- In progressRecommendations to council: KfW loan item introduced · 26 May 2026 · and 2 more moments that day
- In progressBudget speech: electricity, water and waste services · 27 May 2026
- City says under wayCity newsroom, 27 May 2026: Joburg’s 26/27 budget allocates R 28.3 billion towards energy security
“the City is finalising development finance linked to energy projects, including a recent council approved loan facility from KfW Development Bank”
Due in 421 daysDada Morero · Executive Mayor
02:29:03· by 2027· Report an error
Not raised again in 14 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“These projects will be completed in 2027.”
Date passed; a later sitting said doneMargeret Sheron Arnolds · AIC
02:54:53· by tomorrow at 10:00· Report an error
Latest: Said done at a later sitting, 21 May 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 1 later sitting
“this will happen tomorrow at 10:00 at the chambers.”
- Done, they sayStart of party debate and EFF caucus break · 21 May 2026 · and 4 more moments that day
No dateDada Morero · Executive Mayor
02:08:49· R23.2 billion (book value)· Report an error
Latest: Raised again at a later sitting, 21 May 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 1 later sitting
“we will therefore dispose of this debtors' book and sell the debtors' book”
- Raised againActionSA/ACDP response to SOCA: renewal, economy and public safety · 21 May 2026 · and 1 more moment that day
No dateDada Morero · Executive Mayor
Latest: Said in progress at a later sitting, 24 June 2026 (AI judgment)
Evidence: quote · 2 later sittings · 1 City report
“We will not fight Eskom. We will work with the Minister of Electricity and Energy”
- Raised againEFF response: inequality, public safety, health and Eskom · 21 May 2026
- In progressIT query and Deputy Executive Mayor's reply on Eskom · 24 June 2026 · and 2 more moments that day
- City says under wayCity newsroom, 27 May 2026: Joburg’s 26/27 budget allocates R 28.3 billion towards energy security
“the City is currently in discussions with Eskom on the current debt and recovery interventions with the support and collaborative efforts from national government, SALGA, regulators and financial institutions.”
No dateDada Morero · Executive Mayor
Not raised again in 14 sitting days since; no City report.
Evidence: quote
“the city will be honoring Reverend Trevor Huddleston”
Decisions
3What council approved, rejected or put off.
- 01:36:54
Applications for leave of absenceapproved
After apologies from the IFP, ANC, PA, DA, ACDP and others, the Speaker asked that leave be accepted and moved to the address, with no objection recorded.
- 01:36:25
Declaration of the venue as council precinctapproved
The Speaker declared the Cathedral church a precinct of Council for the day's proceedings.
- 02:54:22
Party comments and Executive Mayor's response to the State of the City Addressdeferred
Debate on the address was set for the next day at 10:00 at the chambers.
Attendance and conduct
34Who was away and why, as said in the chamber.
Apologies read out 30
- Private business (1)
- Khanyile
- Bereavement (1)
- Mnisi*
- No reason given (19)
- Unidentified councillor*, Chuma, Roberts, Campbell-Cloete, Maila, Bittkau, Koekemoer, Mohamed, Kreusch, Chabalala, Niemand*, Hughes, Benjamin, Van Onselen, Stuart Marais, Pietersen*, Meyers, Truluck, Jacobs*
* Name as heard; not matched to exactly one councillor.
Sound or equipment problem 3
Warned or stopped by the chair 1
Transcript
353Every line, linked to the video.
Show the full transcript(353 lines, AI transcript) or open it on its own page.