By Tswelopele Makoe
THIS past Wednesday, the executive mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, made a magnificent stride towards reclaiming hijacked buildings across the sprawling city.
He notably led a major raid in the hijacked buildings of the notorious Hillbrow, the epicentre of criminal activities.
Hillbrow is among the most infamous hotspots for crime in Gauteng, notable for its immense overpopulation, rampant rates of prostitution, drug use, and violent homicide rates.
As such, it is a commendable step taken by Mayor Morero. It pleasantly defies the stereotypes about today’s ANC-led leadership of the country’s economic hub that is Joburg—putting action to one’s words, so to speak.
This significant step by Morero is not only one that emphasises enhancing public safety in our cities but is also positively proactive in addressing the plethora of our social issues that result in overrun communities, both inside and outside of the big cities.
The vast majority of the people of South Africa live below the poverty line, at a rate of about 63% in 2025. This societal plight derives from various other forms of inequalities, systematic exploitation, rampant unemployment, declining mental health, and so much more.
Simultaneously, poverty is a deeply influential factor to numerous other societal problems, such as limited economic opportunities, poor healthcare outcomes, increased criminal behaviours, limited access to educational services, and a negative impact on one's overall wellbeing.
As a leader, ensuring that all communities are protected, supported, and sustained in a way that is consistent with the principles of our desired society, and in line with the rights enshrined in our national constitution.
However, many a time, South African leaders, across almost every sector, are found guilty of abusing their positions, misappropriating funds, and simply fleeing their duties and obligations to the people. In fact, this is a common criticism particularly during election times: that they promise positive change, and never seem to deliver.
In other words, they simply refuse to put their money where their mouth is.
It is to be reiterated that Morero has certainly exemplified the importance of maintaining one’s obligations to their role. One building at a time, it is wholly possible to restructure our metropolitan cities into areas that are safer, enhanced, bustling spaces where every single type of businesses industry can thrive.
In fact, too often do other South African cities get compared to Cape Town—which has admirably been named 2025’s best city in the entire world by Time Out. There is absolutely no reason for Johannesburg—South Africa’s biggest city by size, population, and economy—to fall by the wayside.
We tend to forget that “Jozi/Egoli”, as it is affectionatley known, is the birthplace of gold in South Africa. It is the foremost metropolitan that embodies a plethora of South African historical sites, and is the birthplace of scores of South African legends and anti-apartheid icons. It deserves to be venerated with the highest regard, in every single area and industry.
It is not only the metropolitan cities, but almost everywhere across South Africa, where the inequality throughout our society is blatantly obvious in the makeup of our physical being. The ironic contrast between areas such as Alexandra and Sandton, or Steyn City and Diepsloot in Gauteng is one that we can no longer be oblivious to.
As a nation, we cannot continue to rely solely on policy, law enforcement, or the judicial system to address our societal plagues. We need to place a serious emphasis on action, just as the mayor of Joburg has done. This is the vitality that must be upheld as we step into this New Year.
It is critical that pertinent projects such as these are not dismayed by lack of evidence, nefarious informants, or any other impediment to these investigations. Our leaders, together with public service officials, must work arduously to meaningfully address the countless other abandoned buildings across Johannesburg, and finally bring an end to criminal tyranny in these areas.
Steps such as these may seem meagre in light of the past 30 years of democratic rule. However, we must remember to applaud the positive strides that are taken for the betterment of our society at large.
We must remember that “a single drop can cause a thousand ripples”. Individual actions can have far reaching effects, and as a society, we must make certain that we uphold our values in action, not just in word.
* Tswelopele Makoe is a gender and social justice activist and the editor at Global South Media Network. She is a researcher and columnist, published weekly in the Sunday Independent, IOL, Global South Media Network, Sunday Independent and Eswatini Daily News. She is also an Andrew W Mellon scholar at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, UWC. The views expressed are her own.
** The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media.