Johannesburg is the one municipality whose failure would make national success impossible, raising the critical question: if Johannesburg cannot be fixed, can we fix South Africa?

Preventing the collapse of Johannesburg must be a national priority. A failing city government affects not only the residents of Johannesburg, but the prospects of the entire country. South Africa cannot restore growth, expand opportunity and attract investment while Johannesburg continues its disastrous decline.

Johannesburg’s future depends on the forthcoming local government election delivering a metro government committed to rebuilding a city crippled by maladministration, corruption and fiscal crisis. The city urgently needs effective leadership and stable management.

The November 2026 local government elections are key to any discussion on rebuilding Johannesburg. A continuation of the current political and governance dysfunction would deepen Johannesburg’s decline. A weak and unstable coalition would struggle to take difficult decisions, appoint capable people, attract partners and investors or sustain a multi-year programme of reform. The choice facing voters is a stark and vitally important one.

Johannesburg can be fixed. But only if the elections produce a new, stable political leadership that mobilises the best possible people (not only from political parties) to help fix the city.  However, even with honest, competent and committed leadership, the city cannot do this alone.

Success will require effective partnerships that build on Johannesburg’s many extraordinary assets, including its vibrant private sector, deep financial markets, many educational institutions and its dynamic citizens and civic organisations. These assets provide the basis for recovery – but only if they are matched by effective governance and bold reforms. It will also require a special response from national government.

Amidst the current gloom, it is important to hold on to the enormous potential of Johannesburg: a place where young people can build a future, businesses can expand and new startups emerge, and individuals can live and see their families prosper. The city can once again become a powerful engine of growth, opportunity and upward mobility for its current residents and for the country as a whole.

CDE’s Johannesburg Matters series will provide analysis and recommendations that a new City political leadership and reformed administration could implement after the elections as the difficult job of rebuilding South Africa’s most important urban centre begins.

Report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise