The Irony of Political Accountability in Johannesburg: Who Do We Trust?

In the early hours of this morning, as the sun rose over Johannesburg, a post from the Democratic Alliance Gauteng Legislature (@DA_GPL) caught my eye on X. It highlighted the ongoing urban decay in what was once considered the beating heart of Africa’s economy. The post, accompanied by a stark image of a severely damaged street, read: “🌍💔 Once the beating heart of Africa’s economy, Johannesburg now faces urban decay. Stagnant property prices, crumbling infrastructure, and rising unemployment paint a grim picture. #UrbanCrisis #CityInDecay #RescueSA #DA_GPL @IOL” .

This post isn’t just a critique; it’s a reminder of the irony that plagues political accountability in Johannesburg – the blame game.

The Blame Game:

It’s no secret that political parties often engage in the blame game, pointing fingers at previous administrations for the city’s woes while in power. The responses to the @DA_GPL’s post illustrate this perfectly. One user, @ElizeVC, questioned the inaction of the current mayor, asking, “@DA_GPL @IOL Why hasn’t the mayor done anything about this? This is why they toppled the previous duly elected officials!!!”

. Another, @Tshepo14081979, labeled local leaders as failures, calling for immediate action @DA_GPL @Martin_Nel_09 @IOL This is ridiculous! @Lesufi Is a FAILURE! @DadaMorero is a FAILURE!!! Please come fix JHB🤦🏿‍♂️😢.

This cycle of blame is not new. It’s a pattern where parties in charge fail to deliver on their promises, leading to public disillusionment. Simon Sithole (@Simon_Sithole20) lamented the return of ANC leadership, stating, “@DA_GPL @ScholtzSusan @IOL What do you expect really? The ANC leaders are back at helm after they destroyed this city in 30 years…”

.

The Trust Deficit:

So, who do we trust at this point? The political landscape in Johannesburg has become a theater where each party plays the role of the savior when out of power, only to become the villain once they are in charge. This trust deficit is palpable. @munntilla suggested voting wisely in the next election cycle, emphasizing a rejection of several parties, including the ANC, EFF, PA, MK, ASA, and AJA

.

The question of trust is further complicated by accusations of racism and historical grievances, with users like @SozeUmsaba and @KopanoPabe bringing up past failures and current frustrations

.

Looking Ahead:

The situation in Johannesburg is a stark reminder of the need for genuine leadership that transcends party politics. Effective governance requires not just pointing fingers but rolling up sleeves and getting to work. The crisis in Johannesburg, as detailed in recent reports, calls for a leadership that is accountable, transparent, and committed to urban renewal and socio-economic development .

As we look forward, perhaps the solution lies in demanding more from our leaders, holding them to a higher standard of performance regardless of their political affiliation. It’s about time we move beyond the blame game and focus on building a city thatOops, something broke. Talk to me later?