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Exposed: How cadre deployment crashes Johannesburg’s water supply

A data investigation shows Johannesburg has already had 1,604 water cuts in October and 3,318 in September. The months-long investigation by Daily Maverick reveals how cadre deployment is a key factor crashing Johannesburg’s water supply and raising the spectre of a system collapse.
Exposed: How cadre deployment crashes Johannesburg’s water supply This graphic of Johannesburg Water’s latest board shows that it has bloated and that cadre deployment by the coalition led by the ANC, which controls the city, has taken place at non-executive and executive levels. Dineo Majavu, a member of the Young Communist League national committee, is the chairperson. Majavu has no relevant experience for the role other than the fact that the SACP is in a governing alliance with the ANC. Kgaile Mogoye is a deployed member of the ANC Youth League with no relevant water experience. Julias Maputla, axed earlier in 2024, was also a direct party deployee. As the graphic below shows, hundreds of thousands of Johannesburg residents are without water at any time, and political interference is a significant factor, according to a document tabled at the council by the utility. The water supply has become like the load shedding crisis since the advent of Johannesburg’s ruling coalition after the 2021 local government elections.
A Daily Maverick data investigation reveals that in October, there were 1,604 cuts in the first nine days of the month, an average of 178 areas without water per day. In September, there were 3,318 water cuts, an average of 110 areas or streets or properties without water per day.

A singer and secretary on the Johannesburg Water Board 

The city is skirting Day Zero for the fourth time in a year, and councillors held emergency meetings with the utility’s officials on Friday, 11 October to fend off a provincial disaster. Half the reservoirs have leaks as a hot, dry summer looms for the city that is South Africa’s economic heartland. On Saturday, Rand Water, the city’s bulk water supplier, said: “Unfortunately, the crisis we sought to prevent has now materialised. The water supply systems in Gauteng, including Rand Water reservoirs, are critically low, and the situation is anticipated to worsen with the ongoing heatwave. Water storage levels throughout Gauteng … have significantly declined due to excessive water withdrawals by municipalities, raising serious concerns.” None of the Johannesburg Water Board members is a professional engineer. Each of the governing coalition partners of the council appears to have deployed cadres: among the members is a secretary and possibly a musician, Collen Sambo. The utility needs profiles of its board members as they change so quickly. Many of the board members do have degrees, but none in fields relevant to water, especially for a water system that is collapsing. The appointments provide job opportunities or direct contracts to politically connected companies, say specialists. The ANC member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for infrastructure, Jack Sekwaila, did not comment on the rationale for the appointments for several months. News24 reported that he did not know about a water crisis in August. The chart above of outages compiled by the Daily Maverick over months of monitoring cuts recorded by the city and residents shows thousands since April. This is not a normal water supply by any means. “A board is critically important for strategic direction and support,” said global water specialist Professor Anthony Turton. “It is vital for risk mitigation and the viability and health of the organisation. This [water supply] is an existential crisis which could bring Gauteng to its knees. “It’s a massive board but paper-thin on technical expertise. You need turnaround specialists, refurbishment specialists and those who know about asset life-cycle management.” (Asset life-cycle refers to specialists who know how to run old systems. Johannesburg Water pipelines and its network of reservoirs and plants are all past end-of-life.)

Fearful but brave whistle-blowers reach out

Early in 2024, a city official, in an encrypted message sent with a disappearing timer, told Daily Maverick that a senior Johannesburg ANC leader “is on a mission to totally take over the control of the entities of the CoJ [City of Johannesburg], ensuring his own people are appointed, even if it means by hook or crook. His targets are Pikitup, City Power and Joburg Water. The modus operandi is the same. He brings his people to the board as his share of the seats with other parties in the coalition government. He floods the board with yes-men and women to ensure no resistance to his decision-making.” Khaya Koko reported in the Mail&Guardian that Johannesburg Water’s chief operations officer, Gugulethu Phakathi, was one of these appointments. She was previously the board chairperson and was parachuted in from the board to the C-suite. Phakathi is a built environment specialist with technical engineering qualifications, but no specific water experience. The CFO, Kgaugelo Mahlaba, is a chartered accountant but he does not have work experience or all the advertised qualifications for the role. He says he is committed to getting the taps running efficiently and reliably. Both these roles are essential to managing a water utility in such a crisis that hospitals like Rahima Moosa, as well as scores of schools, clinics and old-age homes, are suffering cuts afflicting the city’s most vulnerable people. Several board members circulate across Gauteng’s enterprises, showing a network of political connections. Most non-fixed spending in the city and the province flows from the enterprises. The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture found that ANC cadre deployment was the first step in grand corruption. In this placement system, corruption networks directed contracts to their companies at Eskom, Transnet, Prasa and Denel, the state-owned enterprises investigated by the inquiry.

Cadre deployment is illegal and unconstitutional 

The commission’s chairperson, then Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said cadre deployment was unconstitutional and illegal. However, as the Johannesburg Water example shows, it is still standard political practice by the ANC in Gauteng and Johannesburg. A senior water official aligned with the ANC said, “I think cadre deployment is still a big problem and bigger at the municipal level. The [party’s] national deployment committee was benign. Regional and local deployment committees are the ones to watch. These are much more forceful and instruct [rather than advise]. I wouldn’t be surprised and it will worsen the [water] situation.” He said regulating national, provincial and municipal governments was important to make cadre deployment impossible and illegal. There are national laws in place, but cadre deployment remains endemic in the city and province. The ANC in Johannesburg is open about using utility board positions for comrades: for example, the party’s treasurer in the city is the chairperson of Pikitup, the troubled waste management enterprise.

The city won’t answer cadre questions  

In its turnaround strategy tabled at the council, Johannesburg Water’s executives noted that unstable governance (the city has had six mayors and changes of municipal government in three years) leads to frequent changes at the board level, often linked to shifts in political coalitions within the city. The document criticised this lack of continuity, undermining the board’s effectiveness and accountability. It called for more independent governance, free from political interference, to ensure the water entity’s operational efficiency. Johannesburg’s water supply is on a trajectory similar to SA’s electricity during the days of load shedding, as Daily Maverick reported here. Still, both the ANC and EFF in the city seem inured to its national impact. Asked about the political appointments to the board, Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said: “Please refer your questions to the City of Johannesburg, as the city is responsible for appointing the entity’s board.” ANC MMC Jack Sekwaila’s office did not respond to a request for comment after agreeing to take Daily Maverick’s questions.

Johannesburg Water’s full response

Ferial Haffajee: Johannesburg’s generalised water crisis appears to be in a fourth spike in 12 months, with hundreds of water cuts on any day due to what the utility calls “unplanned maintenance.” Is this correct? Nombuso Shabalala: This is incorrect. Johannesburg Water has both planned and unplanned maintenance or water supply interruptions. Planned maintenance is communicated at least seven days in advance, allowing us or a contractor to conduct repairs or upgrades. These notifications are shared through various channels such as social media, ward councillor WhatsApp groups and SMS lines. Unplanned maintenance, like water pipe bursts, is communicated immediately. It may seem like there are more interruptions, but this has always been part of managing the city’s ageing infrastructure and backlog. Other factors, such as bulk supply interruptions and power outages, also play a role. Q: Many people are reporting multiday water cuts. What is your data on this? It seems like a general complaint across usual (areas supplied by the Hursthill and Commando systems and reservoirs across the southwest of Johannesburg) and new areas. A: Johannesburg Water does not intentionally implement water supply interruptions. Our goal is to provide continuous water access. However, we make configuration changes to systems by opening and closing valves to help build capacity in reservoirs overnight. This usually happens from 20:00 to 03:00 to maintain sufficient pressure during peak hours. Various issues, like leaks and illegal connections, increase demand on the system. Water systems take longer to recover than electricity systems, so it’s important to manage capacity efficiently. Q: The utility attributes the water crisis to a spike in consumption, but could this also suggest an ongoing water system supply collapse? A: No, that’s not accurate. The system is extensive, with over 12,000km of water pipelines and more than 11,700km of sewer pipelines. Some portions of the system are aged and need upgrades, but the system is not collapsing. The high consumption we’ve seen is due to factors like leaks, illegal connections and high usage from domestic, commercial and industrial activities. Q: Does Johannesburg Water have a board capable of guiding it through this crisis? The new board doesn’t include a single qualified engineer. A: Please direct this question to the City of Johannesburg, as they are responsible for appointing the entity’s board. Q: Cadre deployment seems to be a pattern on the new board, with the chairperson, for example, being a leader in the Young Communist League and the ANC without water experience. A: This question should also be referred to the City of Johannesburg, as the board appointments fall under their purview. DM [caption id="attachment_2337302" align="alignnone" width="2000"]Joburg road explosion tender (Photo: iStock)[/caption] This story has been corrected to reflect that infrastructure MMC Jack Sekwaila is from the ANC, not the EFF.

Update on October 18, 2024: Daily Maverick apologises to the EFF for not clearing the hurdle of fairness by including it as deploying cadres to the water board. While it is part of the city’s governing coalition, there is no evidence of EFF members on the board.  The headline and introduction have been amended. 

On request, one of the board members has asked for his workplace to be excluded. We have agreed.

Kgaugelo Mahlaba is a registered CA and the copy has been amended to clarify this. 
Ferial Haffajee
By Ferial Haffajee
13 Oct 2024
Facebook
85

This graphic of Johannesburg Water’s latest board shows that it has bloated and that cadre deployment by the coalition led by the ANC, which controls the city, has taken place at non-executive and executive levels.



Dineo Majavu, a member of the Young Communist League national committee, is the chairperson. Majavu has no relevant experience for the role other than the fact that the SACP is in a governing alliance with the ANC. Kgaile Mogoye is a deployed member of the ANC Youth League with no relevant water experience. Julias Maputla, axed earlier in 2024, was also a direct party deployee.

As the graphic below shows, hundreds of thousands of Johannesburg residents are without water at any time, and political interference is a significant factor, according to a document tabled at the council by the utility. The water supply has become like the load shedding crisis since the advent of Johannesburg’s ruling coalition after the 2021 local government elections.


A Daily Maverick data investigation reveals that in October, there were 1,604 cuts in the first nine days of the month, an average of 178 areas without water per day. In September, there were 3,318 water cuts, an average of 110 areas or streets or properties without water per day.

A singer and secretary on the Johannesburg Water Board 


The city is skirting Day Zero for the fourth time in a year, and councillors held emergency meetings with the utility’s officials on Friday, 11 October to fend off a provincial disaster. Half the reservoirs have leaks as a hot, dry summer looms for the city that is South Africa’s economic heartland.

On Saturday, Rand Water, the city’s bulk water supplier, said: “Unfortunately, the crisis we sought to prevent has now materialised. The water supply systems in Gauteng, including Rand Water reservoirs, are critically low, and the situation is anticipated to worsen with the ongoing heatwave. Water storage levels throughout Gauteng … have significantly declined due to excessive water withdrawals by municipalities, raising serious concerns.”

None of the Johannesburg Water Board members is a professional engineer. Each of the governing coalition partners of the council appears to have deployed cadres: among the members is a secretary and possibly a musician, Collen Sambo. The utility needs profiles of its board members as they change so quickly. Many of the board members do have degrees, but none in fields relevant to water, especially for a water system that is collapsing. The appointments provide job opportunities or direct contracts to politically connected companies, say specialists.

The ANC member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for infrastructure, Jack Sekwaila, did not comment on the rationale for the appointments for several months. News24 reported that he did not know about a water crisis in August.

The chart above of outages compiled by the Daily Maverick over months of monitoring cuts recorded by the city and residents shows thousands since April. This is not a normal water supply by any means.

“A board is critically important for strategic direction and support,” said global water specialist Professor Anthony Turton. “It is vital for risk mitigation and the viability and health of the organisation. This [water supply] is an existential crisis which could bring Gauteng to its knees.

“It’s a massive board but paper-thin on technical expertise. You need turnaround specialists, refurbishment specialists and those who know about asset life-cycle management.” (Asset life-cycle refers to specialists who know how to run old systems. Johannesburg Water pipelines and its network of reservoirs and plants are all past end-of-life.)

Fearful but brave whistle-blowers reach out


Early in 2024, a city official, in an encrypted message sent with a disappearing timer, told Daily Maverick that a senior Johannesburg ANC leader “is on a mission to totally take over the control of the entities of the CoJ [City of Johannesburg], ensuring his own people are appointed, even if it means by hook or crook. His targets are Pikitup, City Power and Joburg Water. The modus operandi is the same. He brings his people to the board as his share of the seats with other parties in the coalition government. He floods the board with yes-men and women to ensure no resistance to his decision-making.”

Khaya Koko reported in the Mail&Guardian that Johannesburg Water’s chief operations officer, Gugulethu Phakathi, was one of these appointments. She was previously the board chairperson and was parachuted in from the board to the C-suite. Phakathi is a built environment specialist with technical engineering qualifications, but no specific water experience.

The CFO, Kgaugelo Mahlaba, is a chartered accountant but he does not have work experience or all the advertised qualifications for the role. He says he is committed to getting the taps running efficiently and reliably.

Both these roles are essential to managing a water utility in such a crisis that hospitals like Rahima Moosa, as well as scores of schools, clinics and old-age homes, are suffering cuts afflicting the city’s most vulnerable people.

Several board members circulate across Gauteng’s enterprises, showing a network of political connections. Most non-fixed spending in the city and the province flows from the enterprises.

The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture found that ANC cadre deployment was the first step in grand corruption. In this placement system, corruption networks directed contracts to their companies at Eskom, Transnet, Prasa and Denel, the state-owned enterprises investigated by the inquiry.

Cadre deployment is illegal and unconstitutional 


The commission’s chairperson, then Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said cadre deployment was unconstitutional and illegal. However, as the Johannesburg Water example shows, it is still standard political practice by the ANC in Gauteng and Johannesburg.

A senior water official aligned with the ANC said, “I think cadre deployment is still a big problem and bigger at the municipal level. The [party’s] national deployment committee was benign. Regional and local deployment committees are the ones to watch. These are much more forceful and instruct [rather than advise]. I wouldn’t be surprised and it will worsen the [water] situation.”

He said regulating national, provincial and municipal governments was important to make cadre deployment impossible and illegal. There are national laws in place, but cadre deployment remains endemic in the city and province. The ANC in Johannesburg is open about using utility board positions for comrades: for example, the party’s treasurer in the city is the chairperson of Pikitup, the troubled waste management enterprise.

The city won’t answer cadre questions  


In its turnaround strategy tabled at the council, Johannesburg Water’s executives noted that unstable governance (the city has had six mayors and changes of municipal government in three years) leads to frequent changes at the board level, often linked to shifts in political coalitions within the city. The document criticised this lack of continuity, undermining the board’s effectiveness and accountability. It called for more independent governance, free from political interference, to ensure the water entity’s operational efficiency.

Johannesburg’s water supply is on a trajectory similar to SA’s electricity during the days of load shedding, as Daily Maverick reported here. Still, both the ANC and EFF in the city seem inured to its national impact.

Asked about the political appointments to the board, Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said: “Please refer your questions to the City of Johannesburg, as the city is responsible for appointing the entity’s board.” ANC MMC Jack Sekwaila’s office did not respond to a request for comment after agreeing to take Daily Maverick’s questions.

Johannesburg Water’s full response


Ferial Haffajee: Johannesburg’s generalised water crisis appears to be in a fourth spike in 12 months, with hundreds of water cuts on any day due to what the utility calls “unplanned maintenance.” Is this correct?

Nombuso Shabalala: This is incorrect. Johannesburg Water has both planned and unplanned maintenance or water supply interruptions. Planned maintenance is communicated at least seven days in advance, allowing us or a contractor to conduct repairs or upgrades. These notifications are shared through various channels such as social media, ward councillor WhatsApp groups and SMS lines. Unplanned maintenance, like water pipe bursts, is communicated immediately. It may seem like there are more interruptions, but this has always been part of managing the city’s ageing infrastructure and backlog. Other factors, such as bulk supply interruptions and power outages, also play a role.

Q: Many people are reporting multiday water cuts. What is your data on this? It seems like a general complaint across usual (areas supplied by the Hursthill and Commando systems and reservoirs across the southwest of Johannesburg) and new areas.

A: Johannesburg Water does not intentionally implement water supply interruptions. Our goal is to provide continuous water access. However, we make configuration changes to systems by opening and closing valves to help build capacity in reservoirs overnight. This usually happens from 20:00 to 03:00 to maintain sufficient pressure during peak hours. Various issues, like leaks and illegal connections, increase demand on the system. Water systems take longer to recover than electricity systems, so it’s important to manage capacity efficiently.

Q: The utility attributes the water crisis to a spike in consumption, but could this also suggest an ongoing water system supply collapse?

A: No, that’s not accurate. The system is extensive, with over 12,000km of water pipelines and more than 11,700km of sewer pipelines. Some portions of the system are aged and need upgrades, but the system is not collapsing. The high consumption we’ve seen is due to factors like leaks, illegal connections and high usage from domestic, commercial and industrial activities.

Q: Does Johannesburg Water have a board capable of guiding it through this crisis? The new board doesn’t include a single qualified engineer.

A: Please direct this question to the City of Johannesburg, as they are responsible for appointing the entity’s board.

Q: Cadre deployment seems to be a pattern on the new board, with the chairperson, for example, being a leader in the Young Communist League and the ANC without water experience.

A: This question should also be referred to the City of Johannesburg, as the board appointments fall under their purview. DM

Joburg road explosion tender (Photo: iStock)



This story has been corrected to reflect that infrastructure MMC Jack Sekwaila is from the ANC, not the EFF.

Update on October 18, 2024: Daily Maverick apologises to the EFF for not clearing the hurdle of fairness by including it as deploying cadres to the water board. While it is part of the city’s governing coalition, there is no evidence of EFF members on the board.  The headline and introduction have been amended. 


On request, one of the board members has asked for his workplace to be excluded. We have agreed.


Kgaugelo Mahlaba is a registered CA and the copy has been amended to clarify this. 

Comments

William Kelly Oct 14, 2024, 05:44 AM

That's OK. Just keep on paying. And stop asking questions. Take what you're given and be grateful. We need fewer insolent bloody citizens interfering with those in power. They've earned these positions. And they deserve the money. They truly deserve it. So shut up and give it to them.

andij8537 Oct 14, 2024, 11:50 AM

Its important that taxpayers lobby OUTA to do something. Their soft approach isnt helping taxpayers

virginia crawford Oct 14, 2024, 05:06 PM

What they deserve is......too rude to say but it's swift.

Laurence Erasmus Oct 14, 2024, 06:10 AM

ANC cadre deployment delivered crippling load shedding and continues to cripple the delivery of basic services to Gauteng. What have the residents of Gauteng done to receive such callous treatment from the ANC and its partners in looting?

Kevin Venter Oct 14, 2024, 06:38 AM

"What have the residents of Gauteng done to receive such callous treatment from the ANC...". Exactly what they voted for.

Is there hope South Africa? Oct 14, 2024, 11:17 AM

Remember that it is easy for you to say this. However most of the people who vote ANC were denied a vote until 1994. They think the ANC is their liberator. And they are kept poorly educated by the self same ANC to ensure the votes keep coming.

Kevin Venter Oct 14, 2024, 02:35 PM

Of course. Poor education does not however affect people's vision. If the voters take a look around and notice that in 30 years the environment is getting worse, well then they should not complain if they keep voting for the ANC.

Janice Kitchen Oct 14, 2024, 02:43 PM

Do me a favour! Stop making excuses. You get what you vote for, it is as simple as that. And what has been got, is what you see, and experience. Not rocket science!

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:07 PM

Janice, while not quite hearing what you saying, but you got me thinking. Oppression and centuries of degradation, deprivation through poor education and no education at all, brought us here. Now, those that voted and benefited on this are now surprised by its effects. It's that being dumb

Johan Buys Oct 14, 2024, 06:45 AM

Laurence : people deserve the leaders they elect.

Andrew Blaine Oct 14, 2024, 07:12 AM

Sat back, moaned but taken absolutely zero a out changing the state of affairs

Kevin Venter Oct 14, 2024, 08:12 AM

Just another report of more cadre deployment failure and corruption so that contracts can be won and kickbacks paid, to then supply water with trucks rather than maintaining infrastructure. The officials do not understand the words in the oath they take, only the voters can fix this mess.

phophi Oct 14, 2024, 10:00 AM

The Jo'burg voters have always kept ANC afloat for many years hoping that it will change. Most of them (voters) enjoy being cheated and screwed up their called liberation movement. They'll rather die than think!!

normanzwan Nov 12, 2024, 08:05 AM

It is a very long road, but one day, I have no clue when, the voter will see how they have shot themselves in the foot by consistently voting ANC.

Carolyn Petersen Oct 14, 2024, 06:32 AM

Does Johannesburg have a City Engineer ? It seems that no qualified engineers are employed by the city of Johannesburg. The management structure of City engineer and under him engineers allocated to water,roads & parks appears to have fallen away . There needs to be a CITY Engineer in control.

Jan Pierewit Oct 14, 2024, 06:59 AM

Very good point. Such is the obfuscation that everybody is called a CEO or CFO and nobody knows who is ultimately responsible for anything in reality. Once upon a time there was a Town Clerk and a City Engineer. One carried the can for admin, the other for all infrastructure and engineering.

Kevin Venter Oct 14, 2024, 08:58 AM

A City Engineer, is that a pre-requisite? ?? If we can have a teacher looking after the defence force and a VBS looter looking after justice, why would we need an engineer looking after engineering? The ANC and common sense unfortunately do not go well together.

tshiggo Oct 14, 2024, 09:46 AM

You've hit the nail on the head. Cyril's commitment to cadre deployment bearing fruit the African way

laurantsystems Oct 14, 2024, 10:41 AM

There are many, many excellent engineers in SA. Some of them are without work. Why? Have a look at the photos above, and notice how un-diverse those in the photos are. If you're an engineer of the wrong shade, forget about getting any job in any government department.

Cachunk Oct 14, 2024, 06:46 AM

Utterly useless.

CRa Oct 14, 2024, 06:51 AM

I get the unqualified cadre appointments and apparent water supply issues but no specifics around the headlined “How ANC-EFF cadre deployment crashes Johannesburg’s water supply”.

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Oct 14, 2024, 07:33 AM

I think that at the high level this article is aimed, the how is obvious.. Uselessness and corruption via cadre deployment.

Dragon Slayer Oct 14, 2024, 07:05 AM

Another really pertinent question is the claimed qualifications? Are they real? What institution awarded them? Is there even evidence that, if done on-line, who actually did the work? Certainly the evidence points to qualifications having no relevance to competence!

Christopher Lang Oct 14, 2024, 05:14 PM

Absolutely correct. I fear that most of these qualifications are mail-order ones! And paper qualifications only indicate a person's ability to teach, that is, if they do have a bone fide qualification!

senzomeme Oct 14, 2024, 07:12 AM

This is poor journalism. The content of the article does not support the headline of the article. The investigation does not show how the board members are connected with the EFF. This supports the notion that the media is bias against the EFF.

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Oct 14, 2024, 07:40 AM

The ANC has 90 seats, and its government of local unity will include the EFF (29 seats) ...again, not rocket science to get the thinking.

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:32 PM

I find the article appropriate. Firstly, it is not lying about poor service and the causes it. We must have these acts of poor administration and underlying causes brought up as may time as possible. Remember, they are doing everything possible to cover them up.

middelhov Oct 14, 2024, 07:31 AM

On the contrary, I find the qualification of the board members to be quite impressive, certainly more than enough to do a decent job. The problem is is about intention and integrity. The most qualified person with bad intentions will still have bad outcomes.

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Oct 14, 2024, 07:42 AM

...and they have a singer, so it's the trough - and a show. Nice.

Glyn Morgan Oct 14, 2024, 08:44 AM

I agree 100%. "The Power of The Trough". Voted South Africas favorite horror movie.

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:36 PM

I'm sure even the most stupid has heard of the "Pavlov's gog". You direct anger, oppression, racism and resentment towards a group of people for centuries, that is exactly how they'll view you

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Oct 14, 2024, 06:28 PM

I agree. ...one would do well however to recognize that this stealing affects us all - it does not distinguish, and all of our people suffer because of the greed and selfishness of a few.

Marc Lyon Oct 14, 2024, 08:48 AM

"I find the qualification of the board members to be quite impressive" Ever heard of the University of Fort Hare scandals or the epidemic of malfeasance at Unisa? Many South African degrees are not worth the paper they are printed on.

laurantsystems Oct 14, 2024, 10:47 AM

I am in the HR world and you are absolutely correct. We regularly find "graduates", also from prestigious universities, who cannot even write a single logical paragraph. Standards in all SA's universities have plummeted.

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 08:19 PM

Good observation. Worse thing that has happened was the dissolution of Technikons. Best pools of talent, on application and theory combined. Those were my preferences for picking talent.

Rodshep Oct 14, 2024, 07:46 AM

You voted, you got, and now, you are receiving. If you used your vote wisely you may have stood a chance. If the city still stands in when nect you are called upon to use your vote. Be wise and do it sensibly or stop complaining.

Grumpy Old Man Oct 14, 2024, 12:02 PM

Rod, the ANC has less than 35% popular support in Gauteng - they lost approx 30% of their support base. This is a seismic shift and reflects the loss of faith many have in the ANC. Incorrect to say the peeps here voted for this sh*t show

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:21 PM

GOM, you are right. Just a few more elections unfortunately, voting patterns are really changing in Gauteng

louw.nic Oct 14, 2024, 08:09 AM

The Ant and the Grasshopper - a fable by Aesop. The grasshoppers have been voted into power in Gauteng.

andretait156 Oct 14, 2024, 08:13 AM

Zero sympathy anymore. You vote for this. You get this. Sorry for residents that voted with their brains. They will probably be leaving soon making matters even more dire. City of gold dust. Blowing away in the wind. Viva Anc. Viva eff. Freedom!

Werner Hautmann Oct 14, 2024, 09:01 AM

And If you dont go and vote it is as good voting for the ANC/EFF

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 07:30 PM

To be precise, this is DA's fault, as it consistently failed to topple ANC cor the past 30 years, despite having all the resources needed to achieve this. Oh, no, it cannot craft an inclusive message because it will loose its precious rights to FF+

Kevin Venter Oct 15, 2024, 01:51 AM

I agree with this. The DA has potential but it is still seen as a white party and seen to be the spawn of the apartheid NP (which is not the case). I dont know how they change that, maybe a merge with ANC in distant future. Clean governance is what we need now, corruption is killing the economy.

Noelsoyizwap Oct 15, 2024, 10:27 AM

I see a DA merger with ANC as inevitable. But also see a need for homework on both sides. ANC must 1st deal with MKP issue, as it did EFFCOPE, put it in its place. DA must open just a window, its too stuffy in there stuffy in there, twig policies, be prepared to loose a few,

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:27 PM

South Africans must come up with a non-racial political party that is focused on serving the needs of the whole country. It hasn't happened yet.

laurantsystems Oct 14, 2024, 05:20 PM

Really? ACDP? Rise Mzansi? Cope? They're pretty non-racial. As is, in fact, the DA, the most diverse party in SA.

Kevin Venter Oct 15, 2024, 01:56 AM

Agree. Funny enough, I believe this is going to be a merger of ANC, DA and FF+. As the ANC support wanes because of corruption and non delivery I believe it will have no choice but to shed the very thing is causing its decline or else it will die.

Kevin Venter Oct 15, 2024, 01:58 AM

Siya and the springbok team continue to show South Africa what is possible when we drop the skin colour BS and actually roll up sleeves and work together. I long to see the day when that is the reality in South Africa and that is when the poverty and inequality will actually begin to change.

Noelsoyizwap Oct 15, 2024, 10:36 AM

You know, we already have many ballot papers, why can't add one more to give voter an option on coalition. Example, I vote ANC, but if it doesn't make 50+1%, I pick the coalition of ANCDAIFPFF+. That'll give much needed credibility to coalitions and shut up lots of noise.

David McCormick Oct 14, 2024, 08:31 AM

This crisis developed over 30-odd years of poor water infrastructure management. The current members of the Johannesburg do not seem to have the requisite expertise to overcome the crisis. City of Johannesburg, what is your response?

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:48 PM

Jobug infrastructure was meant for just a few compared to the exponential growth in population. They should have planned better over the last 30 years. Simple, lazy thinking and no thinking at all.

virginia crawford Oct 14, 2024, 05:10 PM

Our feeble opposition parties have done precious little too. As you say this is not new, and much hay could have been made by constantly publicizing the short comings (minus the smug glee.)

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 07:40 PM

To be precise, this is DA’s fault, as it consistently failed to topple ANC cor the past 30 years, despite having all the resources needed to achieve this. Oh, no, it cannot craft an inclusive message because it will loose the free riding right wingers to FF+

Glyn Morgan Oct 14, 2024, 08:36 AM

Is there a single ANC member reading this article? If so, please comment on your rational for voting ANC. The City of Gold is now dust.

Just another Comment Oct 14, 2024, 09:28 AM

Read? They don't know how to read.

laurantsystems Oct 14, 2024, 10:48 AM

The depressing reality of SA is that for 30 years now, 2/3rds of SA's voters have voted for the ANC or its splinter factions. Good luck building a successful country with such a mindset...

Just Me J Oct 14, 2024, 12:19 PM

The City of Gold is now just Fools Gold

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 03:52 PM

The architects of seperate development never thought things through to the end it. It is their short-sightedness that has brought us here.

laurantsystems Oct 14, 2024, 05:21 PM

Your apartheid card expired on 27 April 1994. Stop looking for excuses. You lot have bungled it for 30 years now.

ttshililo2 Oct 14, 2024, 07:21 PM

One reality to be addressed in our lifetime, is the need for people who were raised to believe they were superior to heal from the trauma and grief of discovering the truth that they actually are equal to all others, including those they were raised to think they were superior to. Heal.

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 07:44 PM

Firstly, they must come to a complete understanding of the effects of the centuries of suppression, degradation and apartheid.

Confucious Says Oct 14, 2024, 09:23 AM

Why study a profession or Degree when you can just get into politics and get the job? It's far easier to become a politician than develop your brains and skills!

John Kuhl Oct 14, 2024, 09:26 AM

and all we do is moan-we voted these people into power in 1994-We have not managed to advance one step to hold them accountable. Now what have all the political parties done to keep this from happening -be the opposition and moan- this is not working-they will do exactly what they want wait and see

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 04:09 PM

The unfortunate thing is that, corruption is still going to continue. The existence of MKEFF is simply out of jealous for the incumbents. Nothing better they'll bring to change our lot, just their stomachs. The only party that can, with resources and reach, doesn't see the bigger picture.

Lian van den Heever Oct 14, 2024, 10:41 AM

It’s all about money. Money gives power to YOU and nobody else . Now here’s the kicker: the electorate SEE what happens but NO , they still support the cadres . The fear intimidation and forefather spirits and free food and t-shirts rule

Cobble Dickery Oct 14, 2024, 10:51 AM

Cadre deployment equals greed, corruption, sloth, incompetence together with a collective IQ that can be counted on the fingers of one hand with digits to spare, and of course, unaccountability - all the hallmarks of the ANC and EFF - and resulting in the cretinisation of management.

Is there hope South Africa? Oct 14, 2024, 11:11 AM

The sad fact is that this doesn't only affect Gauteng. Where are all the millions going to move to when there is no water?

Denise Smit Oct 14, 2024, 11:15 AM

FH has it now become dangerous in Gauteng to name P L in your article?

Pieter van de Venter Oct 14, 2024, 11:16 AM

A strange bunch this board. Not even e single face that is not Black African!! Surely this cannot be in this day and age!!

Hilary Morris Oct 14, 2024, 02:33 PM

Sorry, have to respond to this. For decades the faces were all white! We do NOT have the right to complain on that basis, surely? Complain about appropriate qualifications, but not about colour!

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 04:16 PM

I'm black and I think every sphere of life in SA should reflect all our demographics. What Hilary is raising, is a major concern. It is at the base of our lack of development. I must add, ANC is, in nowadays, a racist party. However, so is the rest of them. A bunch of race focused parties e we have

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Oct 14, 2024, 06:31 PM

There is one word that will improve our country fastest, and it is "Meritocracy". Without it we all live lesser lives than we could.

Kevin Venter Oct 15, 2024, 08:45 AM

This I agree with. We need to move away from skin colour politics and actually start choosing the right people for the job. Goodness knows we have good people from all demographics, all they need is an opportunity which they are not getting because of bad policy and corruption.

Thomas Cleghorn Oct 14, 2024, 11:22 AM

Let them drink Perrier!

Just Me J Oct 14, 2024, 12:18 PM

The ANC and EFF are pure incompetence, mismanagement and corruption. Beyond treasonous.

Lian van den Heever Oct 14, 2024, 02:29 PM

Why did the president not reprimand and dismiss the culprits of his party for its actions in Gauteng ?

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 04:40 PM

Even closer, the president hasn't acted on his Justice Minister, for VBS bank scandal. Does this mean he believes the loan story or just accountability zero at every level..

Kevin Venter Oct 15, 2024, 08:46 AM

CR has his own case to answer with Phala Phala which has now conveniently been hushed as well. How can he point a single finger at anyone else when he has the finger pointing at him. The moral character of ANC leadership at this point leave much to be desired. Scary part is, who is behind door 2?

Noelsoyizwap Oct 14, 2024, 04:54 PM

Only 58% of registered voters went to the polls in May. Now, registered voters mean registered not vote eligible. So, even more the the 42% stayed home. Isn't that an indictment to our political parties. That many people don't hear their message. Lets not peddle lies that there exist a good party

Ian McGill Oct 14, 2024, 06:26 PM

This has a whiff of a glee club. Today let's play as adults, hold meetings, take minutes and resolve to meet again, next week! Wheeeee!

Scart Oct 15, 2024, 05:51 AM

Friend has worked for JW for decades. Has more relevant qualifications than the whole board. He could emigrate anywhere and write his own cheque. These ppl have been trying to oust him for years on trumped up accusations on account of him being pigmentally challenged so another cadre can get a job.

chrisprinslo Oct 15, 2024, 11:09 AM

RSA demographics suggests that this is an African country. 30 years of evidence suggest that RSA will follow the path of other African countries. New political parties are needed with new and non-racial policies that serve South Africans, else RSA will continue to be an ANC/DA/MK/EFF/FF/ASA failure.

Lian van den Heever Oct 15, 2024, 12:39 PM

How about visit, Mr President ?

Scotty84 Oct 15, 2024, 05:32 PM

No wonder many South Africans continue to leave South Africa, due to the ANC and others who are paid to ensure the citizens have basic services. It has been a difficult time with Escom and now no water. I'm not surprised members of my family have elected to search for greener lands

normanzwan Nov 12, 2024, 08:01 AM

Most of these persons are qualified and need to be employed. I'm not certain if populating the water sector in Johannesburg is correct or not. The writer is not telling me how their appointment varies from the job spec. It is concerning that none is an 'water' engineer as such.