Morero announces R3bn for housing, power relief

In his State of the City Address on Wednesday, Morero highlighted the municipality’s ongoing efforts to tackle Joburg’s major service delivery challenges.

“The city is aware of the high electricity tariffs our customers are paying, especially industrial customers,” he said. 

“These customers are major employers in our city, and we need to support them so they are sustainable and financially viable. 

“Through City Power, we will provide a relief tariff option to our industrial customers.”

As part of Johannesburg's energy sustainability plan, Morero said it is working to reduce its reliance on Eskom by integrating new energy sources and energy storage facilities into the power mix. 

This plan is designed to relieve the pressure on Eskom, with a focus on securing more stable and affordable energy for Joburgers.

Morero also opened his address by acknowledging the ongoing service delivery challenges, especially concerning the city's water crisis. 

Johannesburg is grappling with ageing infrastructure, drought conditions, and nearly 40% of its water supply lost to leaks and illegal connections.

"We understand the challenges we face, infrastructure is decaying, and service delivery backlogs have reversed the gains we’ve made. COVID-19 alone set us back by 10 years," Morero said.

 "2025 must be the year our residents see real change in Johannesburg."

In response, Morero announced a R3.03 billion infrastructure investment over the next three years.

 The funds will go towards upgrading eight of the most underserved areas: Diepsloot, Southern Farms, Ivory Park/Kaalfontein, Orange Farm, Soweto, Riverlea, Zandspruit, and Eldorado Park. 

The aim is to create more liveable, connected, and economically viable communities.

“Investing in deprived and marginalised areas will help us address deep infrastructure backlogs and transform these settlements into communities that are sustainable for the future,” he said.

Morero also mentioned the Lufhereng Mixed-Use Development,  a flagship project that will provide over 30,000 housing units and local economic hubs in the south-west near Protea Glen. 

This development will be funded through the Urban Settlements Development Grant and is expected to create integrated human settlements and a sense of spatial equity.

Regarding Johannesburg’s Inner City, Morero announced plans to continue revitalising the urban core. 

"The Inner City is not just being restored; we are transcending the so-called urbicide. It is being repositioned as the economic epicentre of the Gauteng City-Region,” he said.

This will include refurbishing abandoned buildings, upgrading infrastructure, and adding safe public lighting to improve the area’s appeal. 

Key precincts like Marshalltown, Jeppestown, Hillbrow, and Braamfontein are all set to benefit from this initiative, which aims to attract mixed-income housing and commercial tenants to the area.

The mayor also highlighted the electrification of informal settlements, such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kya Sands, with a R296 million allocation.

 The electrification effort will bring legal and safe electricity access to thousands of households, integrating them into the city’s energy system and supporting its transition to renewable energy sources.

“We must build resilience and reliability in our water security through Joburg Water, which continues to lead the city’s largest capital allocation.

“This programme is delivering large-scale interventions aimed at securing Johannesburg’s water future,” said Morero.

Morero also touched on the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) multi-year infrastructure programme, which includes upgrading the City’s roads, especially in township areas, and reducing flooding. 

Work will be completed on Lillian Ngoyi Road by August 2025.

ALSO READ