--- title: "The mayor’s putting lipstick on potholes" description: "I wrote last week that I would take the gains from the G20 prep work in Joburg – at least some things are happening. Well, it seems you readers don’t agree! Thanks for all your letters. It’s made me wonder whether I am a victim of the tyranny of my own lowered expectations. We should expect more from the people we elect." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "JOBURG NEWSLETTER" author: "Ferial Haffajee" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ferialhaffajee/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-19-the-mayors-putting-lipstick-on-potholes/" published: "2025-11-19T14:21:30" updated: "2025-11-19T14:21:31" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 639 --- # The mayor’s putting lipstick on potholes > I wrote last week that I would take the gains from the G20 prep work in Joburg – at least some things are happening. Well, it seems you readers don’t agree! Thanks for all your letters. It’s made me wonder whether I am a victim of the tyranny of my own lowered expectations. We should expect more from the people we elect. By Ferial Haffajee · Published 19 November 2025, 16:21 SAST · Updated 19 November 2025, 16:21 SAST ## Key points - In Joburg, where finding a building plan is as likely as spotting a unicorn, water tanker tycoons are cashing in while the taps run dry, and a guerrilla gardener is the city's unsung hero amid the bureaucratic chaos. - Joburg's planning chaos continues as the Land Information System remains down, hindering developers and homeowners alike. - Cadre-owned water tanker companies profit from a R223-million contract despite ongoing investigations and a water crisis affecting residents. - The Water Crisis Committee mobilizes citizens to demand water as a basic human right, following protests against profiteering. - Floyd Brink returns as city manager, bringing qualifications and cross-party support, but his tenure is short-lived until the next local elections. ## Content **1. Your emails put me straight** Here’s a selection of readers’ thoughts, largely agreeing that we haven’t given up on our city. (*But disagreeing with me on the cosmetic changes. Fer.*) “The instant fix… presents Johannesburg residents with a conundrum… we’re ‘grateful’ that something has been done, yet it’s infuriating because it’s clearly window-dressing for foreign visitors, not residents.” “There is a spirit of ‘We Can Do It’ amongst us citizens, despite the doom and gloom emanating from the Civic Centre.” “It makes me see red… The mayor is not concerned about citizens – all they are doing is window-dressing the mess, instead of fixing the daily dysfunction.” “I’ve returned after decades abroad. People are brave, industrious and bright. I’m so happy to be living here where people are neither complacent nor numb… We’ve NOT given up… and we never will. That’s what makes us so unique as a people.” 👉[Read more here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-14-lipstick-on-a-pothole-joburgs-g20-glow-up-sparks-pride-and-fury/?dm_source=dm_block_list&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=johannesburg&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=first_thing&mle=) **2. G20 power: Joburg cleans up its act for the bwanas’ visit** It’s usually a dictatorship or banana republic meme: the people are so scorned that bigwigs clean up and get moving only when the bwanas are coming to town. The poor get moved. The money is found to beautify and clean. Things broken forever get fixed. The ever-off lights suddenly burn bright. The traffic gets choked so the cavalcades can move freely. Well, here we are. ![The Joburg mayor's high-impact operation left parts of the inner-city, which used to be used by informal traders, clean on October 14, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/D9nUux4_qgt12rxyNqkuiFkJT9I=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ED_582347.jpg) *The Joburg mayor's high-impact operation left parts of the inner-city, which used to be used by informal traders, clean on October 14, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo)* **3. ‘Stolen’ worries about the Gillooly’s giraffes** ![Photo: James Delaney](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DGK48tAflKw5RxHmeQ6EIgVb3V8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-19-135833.png) *Photo: James Delaney* | Several readers emailed after our Wednesday issue, worried that the giraffes and egret sculptures at Gillooly’s would be stolen. I asked artist James Delaney what he thought. He laughed, responding that when he installed beautiful sculptures at The Wilds, many cynics said they would be gone. Seven years later, and they are all in place at that wonderful inner-city park. | | --- | **4. G20 no-shows: here’s who’s still coming to town** | Peter Fabricius has [the latest](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-13-us-absence-at-sas-g20-summit-threatens-to-upend-ramaphosas-agenda/?dm_source=dm_block_list&dm_medium=card_link&dm_campaign=main&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=first_thing&mle=) on who is coming and who is not, as Joburg gears up for the “G20-not-quite-20”. | | --- | ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/G20-1-1-scaled.jpg) **Joburg ‘Person of the Day’** ![Mural artist Persy Mamba at work. Text and photo: Bridget Hilton-Barber](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/WvHsC3KRWmrxOsZ0ijnHP4U3quA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/persy-mamba-mural-artist.jpg) *Mural artist Persy Mamba at work. Text and photo: Bridget Hilton-Barber* | Persy Mamba adds the finishing touches to a mural on the walls of Donald Mackay Park in Berea. Once dangerous and derelict, the park provides a safe green space for the people of Ponte, and surrounding high-rises in Berea and Hillbrow. It has a kids’ playground, soccer and basketball fields, and a food garden. It has been rejuvenated by City Parks, Jozi My Jozi and partners. Mamba works with Safe Study, an enrichment education space based at Victoria Yards, whose programmes support marginalised and underprivileged children in the broader Lorentzville, Bez Valley and Troyeville neighbourhoods | | --- | ### Picture of the day “Superstars: author Zakes Mda and actor, director and playwright John Kani at the [John Kani Performing Arts Academy](https://johnkaniacademy.org.za/) opening on 6 November. Marshalltown, Johannesburg.” - Jesse Kayser ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot2025-11-14at13.38.22.png) ### Heard recently - “And I’m sure the company’s data crunchers could tell you how many people work on a ‘summer bod’ and how many come all year” — **Stephen Grootes**, on his lapsed Virgin Active membership in Joburg. - “How much are we paying for this sticking plaster intervention? And will it make one iota of difference once the G20 is done? — **Duncan,** in the “makes me see red” category about the city ignoring responsibilities. ### My go-to spot for ... "relaxing near a James Delaney giraffe in the inner city." - Ferial H Tip us off! What’s your favourite spot? Tell us why – or suggest something else [here](mailto:ferial@dailymaverick.co.za). ![The Wilds Nature Reserve. Houghton Drive, Houghton Estate. (Photo: Facebook)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/QpXPQ7BMb001ZW8yvd8f2c_TxEY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-19-141937.png) *The Wilds Nature Reserve. Houghton Drive, Houghton Estate. (Photo: Facebook)* --- Love our newsletter? [Subscribe here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/about/newsletter/) or please forward it to a friend.