Fellow South Africans,
Residents of Johannesburg,
Patriots,
Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to my four fellow colleagues, Michael, Lerato, Funzi and Dereleen, for making themselves available to serve the residents of the City of Johannesburg.
Today, we are not here to simply launch a campaign.
We are not here to make empty promises.
We are not here to come together for celebration.
I stand before you today in a boxing ring, because that is exactly what this moment is.
Johannesburg is in a fight for its future.
I am stepping back into the ring to take back our city. Not for spectacle. Not for drama. But because this city needs a fighter who knows what it takes to win.
This is a fight against corruption.
A fight against incompetence.
A fight against lawlessness.
A fight against decline and collapse.
And it is a fight to fix Johannesburg.
We are here to declare war!
I start with this declaration because it must be clear from the very start that this campaign will not be about theory, personalities, empty commitments or endless talking.
This will be a campaign of ACTION and DELIVERY.
And this will be a campaign to reclaim our City and fix Johannesburg!
Because, for South Africa to work, Johannesburg has to work!
Here is the simple reality… Johannesburg is in a crisis!
Across this city, residents open their taps and not a single drop of water comes out.
Streetlights remain broken.
Roads are crumbling.
Potholes have become craters.
Sewage flows through our streets.
Lawlessness has turned entire areas into no-go zones.
Jobs are disappearing as businesses close their doors and lose confidence in this city.
The inner-city has been overrun by criminal syndicates.
And while residents suffer, what do they receive in return?
Recycled excuses.
An endless game of political musical chairs.
And a constant fight for positions and power.
But, another obvious reality is that Johannesburg’s collapse is not accidental.
It is the direct consequence of the sickening corruption, blatant incompetence and failed politicians who care only about their own self-interest, not the lives of residents.
We must all reject the idea that Johannesburg cannot be fixed. This city is not broken beyond repair.
But it will only be through ACTION that Johannesburg will be fixed.
I say this with absolute confidence, because the people of this city have seen it before.
They have witnessed real progress and they know what works.
Residents of this city have already seen what is possible when leadership is serious, disciplined and backed by skilled and professional public servants.
Not long ago, Johannesburg began to recover. In just three years, decades of mismanagement were confronted with decisive action.
Political will replaced paralysis.
Plans were implemented.
Systems were stabilised.
Earlier today, ordinary residents stood on this stage and spoke about the real improvements in their lives. They spoke about what changed when I had the honour of serving as Mayor.
Those years were defined by action and accountability.
Together, we worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to deliver:
A safer city.
A cleaner city.
A city with zero tolerance for corruption.
A city where public money was spent only on service delivery.
A city where every official was held accountable.
A city with stabilised finances.
A city where the inner city was being reclaimed from criminal syndicates and illegal activity.
A city where infrastructure maintenance was prioritised.
A city that invested in proper water infrastructure.
A city where revenue collection improved.
A city where the quality of services you received did not depend on your postcode.
A city where the needs of residents were the top priority.
What we delivered in these 3 years was not an accident and it was not by luck.
This is what we were able to achieve when I first declared war on the collapse of Johannesburg in 2016 and executed a clear plan of action.
And, it is why today, I am taking responsibility to return, finish the job and once again deliver real results for the residents of this city who deserve no less.
This job is going to be brutal. But someone must stand up and lead the only credible fight to fix Johannesburg before it is too late.
My fight to fix this city was interrupted, but I return because Johannesburg needs us to pick up where we left off and get the job done.
ActionSA will show residents that this upcoming election offers them the opportunity to stop the collapse of Johannesburg and elect an experienced leader with a credible plan and to elect someone who knows every inch of this city, has turned it around before and can do it again.
The contrast in this election is simple. Others will talk and make empty promises without a plan. We are going to demonstrate our proven track record of what has already been delivered, and what more is coming.
At the heart of this campaign and our offer to residents is a credible plan.
Not some fancy slogan or a long manifesto that few will actually read.
But a plan that residents can understand, be a part of and hold us accountable to.
Today, I am proud to launch Operation Fix Joburg.
This is a clear recovery plan for a city in crisis.
Five interventions.
Five priorities.
Five fronts in our fight to fix Johannesburg.
Everything we do begins here.
Our first priority is to fix the basics.
Johannesburg is falling apart because maintenance was neglected and investment was either delayed or diverted. Pipes were left to fail. Roads were left to crumble. Critical infrastructure was allowed to deteriorate.
Under Operation Fix Joburg, that neglect ends.
We will implement a focused Infrastructure Recovery Plan that prioritises water, electricity, roads and sewer networks. We will apply urgent triage where the risk is greatest, particularly in our water and sewer systems. Maintenance will no longer be reactive. It will be planned, funded and monitored.
When I served as Mayor, we replaced more than 200 kilometres of water pipes, and 160 kilometres of sewer pipes in just three years. Water losses were reduced significantly as leaks were repaired and ageing infrastructure was renewed.
Over the same period, 938 lane kilometres of roads were resurfaced and 88 kilometres of gravel roads were upgraded to surfaced roads. That was the result of disciplined budgeting and clear priorities.
When we return to office, we will restore that momentum. Over a full five year term, we will at least double the pace of pipe replacement and road resurfacing. We will publish clear targets and report progress openly.
Partnership with organised labour will be critical. Employees of the City must be treated as equal partners. They are on the front line of service delivery. Their experience and commitment are essential to restoring performance.
Johannesburg can work again. But it begins with fixing the basics.
Our second priority is to end corruption.
Corruption is not a side issue. It is the reason taps run dry. It is the reason roads collapse and streetlights stay broken. When money meant for maintenance is stolen, communities suffer.
When I served as Mayor, we established a dedicated Anti Corruption Unit. It investigated more than 6 000 cases with a combined value exceeding R35 billion. Those investigations led to over 900 arrests and numerous disciplinary actions.
That approach will return.
We will reinstate a properly resourced anti corruption capability. Lifestyle audits will be mandatory for senior officials and political office bearers. Corrupt contractors will be blacklisted. Major tenders and contracts will be published and open to public scrutiny. Consequences will begin on day one and they will be consistent.
We must also confront the structure that enables corruption, mismanagement and waste.
If not all, then the majority of city owned entities such as City Power and Joburg Water will be collapsed back into the core administration of the City. These entities have become unnecessary layers of bureaucracy. They have created space for corruption and for cadres.
That will end. Functions will be consolidated. Oversight will be centralised. Accountability will be direct.
Each will be led by a competent executive reporting to the City Manager. No more boards for cadres.
Our third priority is to restore law and order.
Hijacked buildings, cable theft, illegal connections, drug syndicates and organised criminal networks are undermining the future of this city. Undocumented illegal foreign nationals who operate outside our laws will not be welcome in a city we lead.
Lawlessness drives away investment and destroys dignity.
We will strengthen the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department by recruiting an additional 2 500 officers over five years. That is 500 officers each year, properly trained and deployed where they are needed most.
During my previous term, we identified 643 hijacked buildings and properties and began reclaiming them. Forty four were returned to lawful ownership.
There is unfinished work. And we will complete it.
I also want to acknowledge the family of DJ Warras who are with us today.
In his honour, we renew this commitment. The clean up of our inner city will continue. The restoration of order in our CBD will intensify. Criminal syndicates will not dictate the future of Johannesburg.
Effective and well managed Municipal Courts will be reinstated to ensure that by laws are enforced and consequences are real.
We want a city where our people can live, work and build their future in safety and dignity. I believe Johannesburg can become the epicentre of arts and culture in Africa. A city that attracts the world to experience our talent, our creativity and our energy.
This city belongs to its residents. And the rule of law will be restored in every part of it.
Fellow Residents,
Our fourth priority is jobs, investment and the economic revival of Johannesburg.
Economic recovery begins with financial stability. A city that cannot manage its finances cannot create jobs.
We must begin by restoring the financial health of the City of Joburg.
Without financial discipline there can be no service delivery and no growth. We have seen what can be achieved when ActionSA takes the reins of government, as we are demonstrating in Tshwane under the leadership of Dr Nasiphi Moya.
In the first 100 days, we will conduct a full financial health audit of the City and all its entities. We will establish a clear and honest picture of revenue, debt, contracts and liabilities. Residents deserve to know the true state of their city.
We have seen what responsible leadership can achieve when finances are stabilised and priorities are clear. Johannesburg must return to that standard.
Johannesburg must be open for business again.
We will introduce a 72-hour turnaround target for business permits and licensing. Delays destroy opportunity. Red tape suffocates entrepreneurs. A city that works must make it easy to invest, to expand and to employ.
Investors need certainty.
Businesses need reliable services.
Entrepreneurs need infrastructure that works.
We will relaunch the Inner-City Revitalisation Programme.
During my previous term, 154 city owned properties were released for redevelopment by the private sector. That plan was to realize more than R32 billion in private investment. It was going to create over 21 000 construction jobs, and enabling approximately 14 500 affordable housing opportunities in the inner city.
That model will return, expanded and strengthened. We will release additional properties, fast track approvals and partner with developers who are serious about building a safe and vibrant city centre.
Small business support programmes and designated trading opportunities will be reserved exclusively for South African citizens and legal permanent residents. We must deliberately build and support local entrepreneurs. That is how we develop the next generation of captains of industry.
Johannesburg must become a city that attracts investment, not one that drives it away.
Our fifth and most important priority is to build a city that delivers dignity for all.
Dignity begins with how a city spends its money.
When I launched the Diphetogo Initiative, which means real change, the aim was clear. We cut unnecessary bureaucracy and redirected funds from political excess to frontline services. We reduced waste and prioritised infrastructure.
As a result, more than R2 billion was redirected to infrastructure investment. The impact was measurable. At the start of 2016, only 58 percent of the budget was spent on roads, housing, water, sanitation and electricity. By 2019, that figure had increased to 71 percent.
More of the budget went where it belonged.
Into communities!
We delivered over 7 000 RDP homes, 7 500 title deeds and 3 500 serviced stands. Families gained security. Residents gained ownership. Communities gained hope.
As a matter of urgency, we will accelerate the insourcing of key municipal services. Cleaners and security personnel deserve the dignity of permanent employment with fair conditions. The era of tenderpreneurs extracting profit from basic services will come to an end.
Dignity in this city must never depend on your suburb, your income or your postcode. Every ward deserves reliable services. Every community deserves clean and safe streets, working infrastructure and accountable leadership.
That is the standard we set before.
And that is the standard we are committed to restoring.
Fellow residents,
This is the choice before Johannesburg:
More excuses or real action.
More recycled failures or proven leadership with a proven track record.
More talk or a credible plan that has delivered before and will do it again.
As residents of Johannesburg, we cannot give up on this city.
I believe Johannesburg can be fixed.
Johannesburg must be fixed.
And Johannesburg will be fixed.
This is our war.
This is our city.
I was asked why I would take on this fight, and I realised that if not now, then when?
And if not me, then who?
Today, I launch a campaign built on one commitment. To fix the city. To clean up government. To restore order. To grow the economy. To protect the vulnerable.’
The fight to fix Johannesburg begins right now.
We have done it before. We can do it again.
But I cannot do it alone.
The future of Johannesburg rests in your hands. Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your power.
Join us. Stand with us. Vote for ActionSA.
Let us restore Johannesburg together.
Thank you.
Operation Fix Joburg: Mashaba Announced as ActionSA Mayoral Candidate
Fellow South Africans,
Residents of Johannesburg,
Patriots,
Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to my four fellow colleagues, Michael, Lerato, Funzi and Dereleen, for making themselves available to serve the residents of the City of Johannesburg.
Today, we are not here to simply launch a campaign.
We are not here to make empty promises.
We are not here to come together for celebration.
I stand before you today in a boxing ring, because that is exactly what this moment is.
Johannesburg is in a fight for its future.
I am stepping back into the ring to take back our city. Not for spectacle. Not for drama. But because this city needs a fighter who knows what it takes to win.
This is a fight against corruption.
A fight against incompetence.
A fight against lawlessness.
A fight against decline and collapse.
And it is a fight to fix Johannesburg.
We are here to declare war!
I start with this declaration because it must be clear from the very start that this campaign will not be about theory, personalities, empty commitments or endless talking.
This will be a campaign of ACTION and DELIVERY.
And this will be a campaign to reclaim our City and fix Johannesburg!
Because, for South Africa to work, Johannesburg has to work!
Here is the simple reality… Johannesburg is in a crisis!
Across this city, residents open their taps and not a single drop of water comes out.
Streetlights remain broken.
Roads are crumbling.
Potholes have become craters.
Sewage flows through our streets.
Lawlessness has turned entire areas into no-go zones.
Jobs are disappearing as businesses close their doors and lose confidence in this city.
The inner-city has been overrun by criminal syndicates.
And while residents suffer, what do they receive in return?
Recycled excuses.
An endless game of political musical chairs.
And a constant fight for positions and power.
But, another obvious reality is that Johannesburg’s collapse is not accidental.
It is the direct consequence of the sickening corruption, blatant incompetence and failed politicians who care only about their own self-interest, not the lives of residents.
We must all reject the idea that Johannesburg cannot be fixed. This city is not broken beyond repair.
But it will only be through ACTION that Johannesburg will be fixed.
I say this with absolute confidence, because the people of this city have seen it before.
They have witnessed real progress and they know what works.
Residents of this city have already seen what is possible when leadership is serious, disciplined and backed by skilled and professional public servants.
Not long ago, Johannesburg began to recover. In just three years, decades of mismanagement were confronted with decisive action.
Political will replaced paralysis.
Plans were implemented.
Systems were stabilised.
Earlier today, ordinary residents stood on this stage and spoke about the real improvements in their lives. They spoke about what changed when I had the honour of serving as Mayor.
Those years were defined by action and accountability.
Together, we worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to deliver:
A safer city.
A cleaner city.
A city with zero tolerance for corruption.
A city where public money was spent only on service delivery.
A city where every official was held accountable.
A city with stabilised finances.
A city where the inner city was being reclaimed from criminal syndicates and illegal activity.
A city where infrastructure maintenance was prioritised.
A city that invested in proper water infrastructure.
A city where revenue collection improved.
A city where the quality of services you received did not depend on your postcode.
A city where the needs of residents were the top priority.
What we delivered in these 3 years was not an accident and it was not by luck. This is what we were able to achieve when I first declared war on the collapse of Johannesburg in 2016 and executed a clear plan of action.
And, it is why today, I am taking responsibility to return, finish the job and once again deliver real results for the residents of this city who deserve no less.
This job is going to be brutal. But someone must stand up and lead the only credible fight to fix Johannesburg before it is too late.
My fight to fix this city was interrupted, but I return because Johannesburg needs us to pick up where we left off and get the job done.
ActionSA will show residents that this upcoming election offers them the opportunity to stop the collapse of Johannesburg and elect an experienced leader with a credible plan and to elect someone who knows every inch of this city, has turned it around before and can do it again.
The contrast in this election is simple. Others will talk and make empty promises without a plan. We are going to demonstrate our proven track record of what has already been delivered, and what more is coming.
At the heart of this campaign and our offer to residents is a credible plan.
Not some fancy slogan or a long manifesto that few will actually read.
But a plan that residents can understand, be a part of and hold us accountable to.
Today, I am proud to launch Operation Fix Joburg.
This is a clear recovery plan for a city in crisis.
Five interventions.
Five priorities.
Five fronts in our fight to fix Johannesburg.
Everything we do begins here.
Our first priority is to fix the basics.
Johannesburg is falling apart because maintenance was neglected and investment was either delayed or diverted. Pipes were left to fail. Roads were left to crumble. Critical infrastructure was allowed to deteriorate.
Under Operation Fix Joburg, that neglect ends.
We will implement a focused Infrastructure Recovery Plan that prioritises water, electricity, roads and sewer networks. We will apply urgent triage where the risk is greatest, particularly in our water and sewer systems. Maintenance will no longer be reactive. It will be planned, funded and monitored.
When I served as Mayor, we replaced more than 200 kilometres of water pipes, and 160 kilometres of sewer pipes in just three years. Water losses were reduced significantly as leaks were repaired and ageing infrastructure was renewed.
Over the same period, 938 lane kilometres of roads were resurfaced and 88 kilometres of gravel roads were upgraded to surfaced roads. That was the result of disciplined budgeting and clear priorities.
When we return to office, we will restore that momentum. Over a full five year term, we will at least double the pace of pipe replacement and road resurfacing. We will publish clear targets and report progress openly.
Partnership with organised labour will be critical. Employees of the City must be treated as equal partners. They are on the front line of service delivery. Their experience and commitment are essential to restoring performance.
Johannesburg can work again. But it begins with fixing the basics.
Our second priority is to end corruption.
Corruption is not a side issue. It is the reason taps run dry. It is the reason roads collapse and streetlights stay broken. When money meant for maintenance is stolen, communities suffer.
When I served as Mayor, we established a dedicated Anti Corruption Unit. It investigated more than 6 000 cases with a combined value exceeding R35 billion. Those investigations led to over 900 arrests and numerous disciplinary actions.
That approach will return.
We will reinstate a properly resourced anti corruption capability. Lifestyle audits will be mandatory for senior officials and political office bearers. Corrupt contractors will be blacklisted. Major tenders and contracts will be published and open to public scrutiny. Consequences will begin on day one and they will be consistent.
We must also confront the structure that enables corruption, mismanagement and waste.
If not all, then the majority of city owned entities such as City Power and Joburg Water will be collapsed back into the core administration of the City. These entities have become unnecessary layers of bureaucracy. They have created space for corruption and for cadres.
That will end. Functions will be consolidated. Oversight will be centralised. Accountability will be direct.
Each will be led by a competent executive reporting to the City Manager. No more boards for cadres.
Our third priority is to restore law and order.
Hijacked buildings, cable theft, illegal connections, drug syndicates and organised criminal networks are undermining the future of this city. Undocumented illegal foreign nationals who operate outside our laws will not be welcome in a city we lead.
Lawlessness drives away investment and destroys dignity.
We will strengthen the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department by recruiting an additional 2 500 officers over five years. That is 500 officers each year, properly trained and deployed where they are needed most.
During my previous term, we identified 643 hijacked buildings and properties and began reclaiming them. Forty four were returned to lawful ownership.
There is unfinished work. And we will complete it.
I also want to acknowledge the family of DJ Warras who are with us today.
In his honour, we renew this commitment. The clean up of our inner city will continue. The restoration of order in our CBD will intensify. Criminal syndicates will not dictate the future of Johannesburg.
Effective and well managed Municipal Courts will be reinstated to ensure that by laws are enforced and consequences are real.
We want a city where our people can live, work and build their future in safety and dignity. I believe Johannesburg can become the epicentre of arts and culture in Africa. A city that attracts the world to experience our talent, our creativity and our energy.
This city belongs to its residents. And the rule of law will be restored in every part of it.
Fellow Residents,
Our fourth priority is jobs, investment and the economic revival of Johannesburg.
Economic recovery begins with financial stability. A city that cannot manage its finances cannot create jobs.
We must begin by restoring the financial health of the City of Joburg.
Without financial discipline there can be no service delivery and no growth. We have seen what can be achieved when ActionSA takes the reins of government, as we are demonstrating in Tshwane under the leadership of Dr Nasiphi Moya.
In the first 100 days, we will conduct a full financial health audit of the City and all its entities. We will establish a clear and honest picture of revenue, debt, contracts and liabilities. Residents deserve to know the true state of their city.
We have seen what responsible leadership can achieve when finances are stabilised and priorities are clear. Johannesburg must return to that standard.
Johannesburg must be open for business again.
We will introduce a 72-hour turnaround target for business permits and licensing. Delays destroy opportunity. Red tape suffocates entrepreneurs. A city that works must make it easy to invest, to expand and to employ.
Investors need certainty.
Businesses need reliable services.
Entrepreneurs need infrastructure that works.
We will relaunch the Inner-City Revitalisation Programme.
During my previous term, 154 city owned properties were released for redevelopment by the private sector. That plan was to realize more than R32 billion in private investment. It was going to create over 21 000 construction jobs, and enabling approximately 14 500 affordable housing opportunities in the inner city.
That model will return, expanded and strengthened. We will release additional properties, fast track approvals and partner with developers who are serious about building a safe and vibrant city centre.
Small business support programmes and designated trading opportunities will be reserved exclusively for South African citizens and legal permanent residents. We must deliberately build and support local entrepreneurs. That is how we develop the next generation of captains of industry.
Johannesburg must become a city that attracts investment, not one that drives it away.
Our fifth and most important priority is to build a city that delivers dignity for all.
Dignity begins with how a city spends its money.
When I launched the Diphetogo Initiative, which means real change, the aim was clear. We cut unnecessary bureaucracy and redirected funds from political excess to frontline services. We reduced waste and prioritised infrastructure.
As a result, more than R2 billion was redirected to infrastructure investment. The impact was measurable. At the start of 2016, only 58 percent of the budget was spent on roads, housing, water, sanitation and electricity. By 2019, that figure had increased to 71 percent.
More of the budget went where it belonged.
Into communities!
We delivered over 7 000 RDP homes, 7 500 title deeds and 3 500 serviced stands. Families gained security. Residents gained ownership. Communities gained hope.
As a matter of urgency, we will accelerate the insourcing of key municipal services. Cleaners and security personnel deserve the dignity of permanent employment with fair conditions. The era of tenderpreneurs extracting profit from basic services will come to an end.
Dignity in this city must never depend on your suburb, your income or your postcode. Every ward deserves reliable services. Every community deserves clean and safe streets, working infrastructure and accountable leadership.
That is the standard we set before.
And that is the standard we are committed to restoring.
Fellow residents,
This is the choice before Johannesburg:
More excuses or real action.
More recycled failures or proven leadership with a proven track record.
More talk or a credible plan that has delivered before and will do it again.
As residents of Johannesburg, we cannot give up on this city.
I believe Johannesburg can be fixed.
Johannesburg must be fixed.
And Johannesburg will be fixed.
This is our war.
This is our city.
I was asked why I would take on this fight, and I realised that if not now, then when?
And if not me, then who?
Today, I launch a campaign built on one commitment. To fix the city. To clean up government. To restore order. To grow the economy. To protect the vulnerable.’
The fight to fix Johannesburg begins right now.
We have done it before. We can do it again.
But I cannot do it alone.
The future of Johannesburg rests in your hands. Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your power.
Join us. Stand with us. Vote for ActionSA.
Let us restore Johannesburg together.
Thank you.