G20 summit in Johannesburg: Mayor Morero addresses water supply concerns
A resident of Coronationville, near Westbury, pushes his trolley loaded with buckets after collecting water from a nearby borehole at a mosque. The area is among those plagued by water supply disruptions in Johannesburg.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says there was never any doubt about the city hosting the G20 Summit, which is expected to be attended by most heads of state in the group, later this month.
There has been growing criticism from political parties, civil society groups and residents about the ability of the City of Johannesburg to host the high-profile event amid the crippling service delivery issues plaguing the metro.
The G20 will take place November 22 and 23 in Johannesburg.
Morero, however, while admitting that there are issues, especially regarding water supply said the city had the capacity to host the international gathering.
“We are ready to host the G20. There’s never been an issue that we thought (would make the city) not be able to host.
''We have hosted already eight meetings of the G20 right here in Johannesburg, before the summit. So we do have the necessary capacity,” Morero said.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the city was “not ready” to host the summit, blaming what he described as a lack of leadership and poor service delivery.
DA caucus leader in Johannesburg, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, also raised concerns that key areas such as Sandton, where many G20 delegates are expected to stay, continue to experience frequent service disruptions, including water shortages.
Morero acknowledged that while some areas such as Kensington continued to face severe water challenges, the city was making progress in addressing infrastructure-related problems.
“The areas that are affected by water currently, these are Kensington area, which has a very severe challenge, which we are responding to.
''At least 80% to 90% of the issues in Westbury, Newclare and Coronationville have been solved, except the issue of throttle, which we’re doing at night. Sandton, Bryanston, all those areas do have supply of water, except for throttle,” he said.
Morero also recently unveiled a turnaround strategy aimed at restoring reliability and financial sustainability to the city’s water utility.
“One of the most significant developments,” Morero said, “is the ringfencing of Johannesburg Water as a trading entity, ensuring greater accountability and efficiency.”