Key Takeaways:
- Mayor Dada Morero’s 2025 was marked by preparation for the G20 Summit and ongoing service delivery challenges in Johannesburg.
- The city’s G20 presentation was built on year-long service delivery operations and inner-city clean-ups, but the never-ending stream of trash returned in December.
- Morero faced motions of no confidence, water crisis, and criticism for an alleged R4 billion fiscal hole at Johannesburg Water.
- The mayor’s administration buckled to the demands of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) to avoid disruptions, agreeing to a R10 billion deal.
- Morero lost his ANC Johannesburg regional leadership seat to Loyiso Masuku, raising questions about his future as mayor.
Introduction to Mayor Morero’s 2025
Mayor Dada Morero’s 2025 was a year of mixed fortunes, marked by the city’s preparation for the G20 Summit and ongoing service delivery challenges. As the mayor of Johannesburg, the economic hub of southern Africa, Morero has had to balance the need to elevate the city to international standards while addressing critical domestic issues. The city’s G20 presentation was a major highlight of the year, with crucial entities such as City Power and Pikitup playing a significant role in keeping the lights on and the streets clean. However, the never-ending stream of trash in the city’s inner streets returned in December, highlighting the persistent challenge of keeping the city clean.
Preparations for the G20 Summit
The G20 Summit was possibly the biggest global event in Johannesburg since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the city’s preparation was a major undertaking. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi played a significant role in the preparations, but Morero can take pride in the city’s effort. The city’s G20 presentation was built on year-long service delivery operations and inner-city clean-ups, which were designed to showcase the city’s capabilities to the international community. However, the proof of the city’s ability to maintain the G20 standard will only be seen in 2026, as the first small cracks begin to appear in those promises.
Service Delivery Challenges
Despite the city’s best efforts, service delivery challenges persisted throughout the year. The water crisis, which began long before Morero took office, continued to plague the city, with the issue coming to a head in September when parliament gave the Johannesburg municipality two weeks to formulate a plan. The DA also criticized Morero for an alleged R4 billion fiscal hole at Johannesburg Water, which the mayor explained was an accounting procedure called sweeping. The city’s water infrastructure is at breaking point, and Morero’s administration has been saddled with the task of finding a solution.
Motions of No Confidence and Criticism
Morero faced two motions of no confidence in 2025, one in June and another in November. The first motion, brought by the DA, was easily defeated, with support from the Patriotic Alliance, EFF, and fellow coalition partners. The second motion, brought by leaders representing minority members of the coalition, was withdrawn in early December. The DA accused Morero of overseeing crumbling basic services and poor municipal governance, but the mayor’s office maintained that the city was working to address these issues.
Samwu Demands and the R10 Billion Deal
In the lead-up to the G20 Summit, Morero’s administration buckled to the demands of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) to avoid disruptions. The union strong-armed over R10 billion in "salary disparities" to be spread out over three years, with increases of between R1.2 billion and R2 billion by March 2026, between R5 billion and R6 billion by July 2026, and a further R4.1 billion for workers by July 2027. The deal was criticized by some, who argued that the required expenditure would be diverted from municipal budgets. However, Morero’s office maintained that no such diversion had taken place and that the city had not yet budgeted for the agreement reached in principle with Samwu.
Loss of ANC Johannesburg Regional Leadership Seat
Morero’s last significant event of the year ended on a negative note, albeit outside of the Johannesburg municipal sphere. The mayor lost his ANC Johannesburg regional leadership seat to his current MMC of Finance, Loyiso Masuku. Masuku won the regional election with 184 votes to Morero’s 149 votes in a protracted voting process in Woodmead. The loss raises questions about Morero’s future as mayor, but ANC regional secretary Sasabona Manganye backed the incumbent, stating that the decision to remove him would be made by the national office bearers.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
In conclusion, Mayor Morero’s 2025 was a year of mixed fortunes, marked by the city’s preparation for the G20 Summit and ongoing service delivery challenges. While the city’s G20 presentation was a major highlight, the persistent challenge of keeping the city clean and the water crisis continue to plague the city. Morero’s administration has been criticized for its handling of these issues, and the mayor’s loss of his ANC Johannesburg regional leadership seat raises questions about his future. As the city looks to the future, it remains to be seen whether Morero will be able to address the city’s challenges and maintain his position as mayor. The race for the Johannesburg mayorship will be hotly contested, and time will tell if Morero’s stance remains as the campaign intensifies.
