President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the revival of the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group (PJWG) during a meeting between the National Executive and the City of Johannesburg Executive Council on Thursday, 7 March 2025. The meeting, which was part of an oversight visit to Gauteng, took place in Johannesburg.
The PJWG aims to tackle Johannesburg’s major service delivery challenges through a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders. This initiative aligns with the District Development Model, which encourages coordination across all levels of government. The key focus areas include governance and financial sustainability, energy and electricity, public safety, urban renewal, water and sanitation, infrastructure, and human settlements and social development.
President Ramaphosa explained that this approach would involve all levels of government and meet the expectations of stakeholders to speed up service delivery, stabilize the city’s finances and operations, and drive economic growth and job creation. “We are going to work together to rebuild Johannesburg and restore it to its former glory,” he added.
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The President stressed the urgent need for intervention, pointing out issues such as aging infrastructure, unreliable water and electricity services, and governance challenges. He highlighted the critical role of the PJWG in transforming the city, stating that the infrastructure, built during the apartheid era, is outdated and requires immediate attention. “We must take action to make the city a livable, thriving, and safe space for all citizens,” he added.
The initiative is expected to be transformative. By tackling these issues and promoting sustainable solutions, the PJWG aims to reestablish Johannesburg as South Africa’s economic powerhouse and a global investment destination.
“Let as double our efforts to build a city that works for all South Africans, a city that celebrates our diversity and bodies that unity espoused in our Constitution,” said President Ramaphosa.
Future plans include a systematic approach to revamping the inner city to attract investment and create jobs. There will also be an emphasis on enhancing financial governance, improving crucial infrastructure, and boosting service delivery in essential sectors.
President Ramaphosa reiterated the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, saying, “When our visitors leave after the G20 Leaders’ Summit, let them be inspired by what they saw and experienced in Johannesburg. For our citizens, let us make them proud to call Johannesburg their home,” he concluded.
