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the City of Johannesburg's Draft 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), following the final public engagement session held at Roodepoort City Hall.

05/18/2026HA O BATLA MEDIA NETWORK

Residents and stakeholders have until today, 18 May 2026, to submit comments on the City of Johannesburg's Draft 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) , following the final public engagement session held at Roodepoort City Hall. On Saturday, 16 May 2026, Region C residents filled the Roodepoort City Hall for the City's last IDP engagement session of the year, closing off a citywide consultation process aimed at shaping Johannesburg's future development priorities. The strong turnout from all 18 wards reflected residents' growing interest in service delivery, infrastructure development and accountability. Before the session began, residents interacted with various City entities and departments to access information on municipal services and log service delivery queries. Cllr Margaret Arnolds , the Speaker of Council, chaired the meeting alongside ward councillors, City leadership, municipal entities and departmental officials. Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero presented the draft 2026/27 IDP, themed “A People's Plan", describing it as a roadmap developed with communities to create a Johannesburg that works for everyone. He highlighted key priorities, including improved service delivery, infrastructure maintenance, stronger community partnerships, and rebuilding trust between residents and the City. Mayor Morero encouraged residents to continue holding the administration accountable. “Don't be afraid to hold us accountable, no matter how many times – we will always welcome that." He outlined several projects implemented in Region C and highlighted Johannesburg Water upgrades aimed at improving reservoirs and strengthening water supply infrastructure. He also addressed landfill sites reaching capacity, saying the City is exploring waste incineration as an alternative. Residents were urged to stop illegal dumping in open spaces and conserve water by fixing leaking taps and reducing unnecessary water loss. The Mayor further announced plans to allow qualifying informal traders to place movable business structures on City-owned land through long-term lease agreements. He also reminded residents that properties valued below R300 000 remain exempt from rates and taxes. A City official from Group Finance presented the draft rates and tariffs, including a proposed 3.6% increase for residential and business properties from 1 July 2026. Pensioners, indigent households, unemployed residents and young-headed households were encouraged to register for the City's Expanded Social Package for possible rebates and free basic services. During the question-and-answer session, residents raised concerns over potholes, poor roads, sewage spillages, water shortages, stormwater drainage and faulty streetlights. City officials committed to addressing urgent matters, while noting that some projects remain dependent on available budgets.

Bafana rue missed chances in defeat to Panama

05/18/202631 March 2026

1 April 2026 – Bafana Bafana were left to rue missed opportunities after suffering a 1-2 defeat to Panama in an international friendly match played at a sold-out DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday night. Just as they did in the first match between the two nations in Durban on Friday, the South African senior men’s national team created a litany of opportunities but could not find the final touch that would have won the game for the hosts. The two nations drew 1-1 in the first match at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. Jose Cordoba opened the scoring for the Central American side in the 59th minute but United States of America (USA)-based Mbekezeli Mbokazi equalised with a thunderous strike that rattled the back of the net in the 64th minute. The scenes of elation and exhilaration would not last for long as Jiovany Ramos scored the winner for the visitors in the 77th minute. Coach Hugo Broos said the team would work on solving the problem in the weeks that are remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June. The global tournament will be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. “This is something we have to work on and it has to do with the confidence of the players. When you get the chances we got today and last Friday, it was a little too much to miss them all. I think in the two games we had 10 chances and we only scored two times. This is not enough. You can work on it, but it is also difficult to work on it (fully) because the players are gone tomorrow and I will only see them back at the end of May,” he said. Bafana Bafana will return to Johannesburg on Wednesday while Panama will begin the long trek back to Central America on the same day.

Taking Parliament to the People Closing Debate Highlights Progress and Persistent Service Delivery Challenges

05/18/2026

The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) Taking Parliament to the People programme concluded on Friday with a high-level debate led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as premiers from four provinces reflected on service delivery challenges, governance interventions and infrastructure development in their respective regions. Premiers from the North West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape used the platform to outline progress made in stabilising municipalities, addressing illegal mining and improving public infrastructure, while acknowledging persistent frustrations among communities. Premiers of North West and Gauteng, Mr Lazarus Mokgosi and Mr Panyaza Lesufi respectively, had previously appealed directly to the President to deploy soldiers to tackle illegal mining, and the intervention has since yielded positive results. Premier Mokgosi also highlighted the impact of recent heavy rains, saying that the floods had caused significant damage to schools, roads and clinics across the province. “The heavy rains that took place in the country and this province had a devastating impact on our people, and we are assessing the damage on the ground. As soon as we know how much is needed, we will come and knock at your door Mr President to request for funds,” he said. Addressing residents of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District and the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, Premier Mokgosi acknowledged widespread dissatisfaction with municipal services, saying that his office has heard their cries, concerns and proposed solutions. Premier Mokgosi added that the provincial government had implemented a Section 139 intervention in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality to improve administration and financial management. The focus of the intervention will be on enhancing revenue collection and to insist on a funded budget, while reducing wasteful expenditure. Premier Lesufi praised President Ramaphosa’s illegal mining intervention, saying the deployment of soldiers had restored stability in affected communities. Soldiers have resolved the problem of illegal mining in Gauteng, and order has been restored, the Premier claimed. Mr Lesufi further credited the President’s intervention in addressing Gauteng’s water challenges, noting that a 26-million-litre water tower in Brixton had recently been opened. The Gauteng premier concluded by wishing the national football team success ahead of upcoming World Cup tournament. KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr Thami Ntuli, focused on local government performance and municipal stability ahead of this year’s local government elections. He said that the province has made measurable progress over the past 22 months, with the number of distressed municipalities declining from seven to two. “Stable municipalities have increased to 21. No municipality is under Section 139 intervention in KwaZulu-Natal compared to four a year ago,” he said. Mr Ntuli added that 37 municipalities had achieved between 75% and 100% of their service delivery and budget implementation targets, while audit outcomes had also improved. Northern Cape Premier, Mr Zamani Saul, said that the country is moving “in the right direction” under President Ramaphosa’s leadership and highlighted interventions aimed at stabilising municipalities. “We intervened decisively in our municipalities, based on our 10-point turnaround plan and we implemented section 139 intervention in Sol Plaatjie Municipality to restore governance and rebuild public confidence,” Premier Saul said. He added that the intervention is directed at restoring municipal stability, strengthening government systems, improving infrastructure maintenance and rebuilding public confidence in municipalities. Premier Saul also pointed to improvements in municipal infrastructure spending through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, saying that in the 2024/25 financial year, municipalities in the province spent 87% of the allocated grant.