Economist.com Cities Guide: Johannesburg Briefing - September 2005

News this month

On the streets

About 30,000 municipal workers across South Africa lay down their tools in August, leaving rubbish uncollected in many cities, including Johannesburg. The protest, called “Project Escalate”, was a response to a salary increase that, following failed negotiations, did not meet workers' demands (they are calling for an 8% raise). Angry marches, arrests and damage to municipal property ensued. But the strike was suspended on August 14th, owing to a lack of funds (workers were not paid while off the job).

South Africa's gold-mining industry, of which Johannesburg is the centre, was also hit by strikes in August, for the first time in 18 years. Over 100,000 miners stayed away from work for several days, before a compromise was reached on August 11th. The strike is estimated to have cost the industry, already struggling, 130m rand ($20m) per day in lost production and 60m rand in lost wages.

Let there be light

Johannesburg’s frequent electricity failures are an expensive blight on the city. They are mainly due to an ageing distribution network—70% of the system is over 25 years old, with another 7% in place for over 40 years. The various parts of the city are not interconnected, making it impossible to divert supply. Still, City Power, the local provider, recently claimed faint glimmers of improvement—outages in 2005 have been reduced by 37% compared with previous years.

But residents are sceptical about these findings: an earlier report showed more than 1,000 outages in the first six months, and fixing faults was found to take an average of seven hours.
Earlier this year, the Johannesburg City Council and City Power finally came up with a plan to upgrade the network, for which 2 billion rand ($310m) has been allocated. It will be at least three years before the overhaul is complete. In the meantime, many Johannesburgers can expect to be kept in the dark.

Sting in the tail

The corruption investigation of Jacob Zuma, South Africa's former deputy president (who was sacked in June), continues apace. On August 18th, the Scorpions, a special unit of the national prosecution authority, raided Mr Zuma's houses in Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as those of close associates. The raids were part of an investigation that may lead to additional charges of tax evasion and fraud against Mr Zuma, whose trial is expected to start in October.

The investigation is causing tension, as Mr Zuma has powerful allies. Leading these is the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which maintains the charges are politically motivated. COSATU has called for Mr Zuma's reinstatement in government, and has created a trust fund to pay his legal costs and to fund a public-relations campaign. Mr Zuma also enjoys support within the communist party and the ruling African National Congress, of which he remains deputy party president.

Calling Papi

Telkom, South Africa’s telecoms monopoly, has a new boss. Leapeetswe “Papi” Molotsane will take over from Sizwe Nxasana, who will step down at the end of the year. The relatively unknown Mr Molotsane has no previous experience in telecoms. He comes to Telkom from Transnet, a transport and logistics parastatal.

The new man has a tough job ahead of him. Telkom, privatised eight years ago as a fixed-line monopoly, has been under pressure from Icasa, the telecoms regulator, to reduce its prices, which are exorbitant by international standards. Such high prices push up the cost of internet access and mobile phones, affecting the cost of doing business in South Africa and, according to some, constraining development in the call-centre sector. Icasa has imposed a cap on Telkom’s price hikes and threatened to impose cuts in its broadband charges. The monopoly, which has reduced staff and slashed operating costs, will also soon face competition from a second national operator.

Spotlight, cameras

One of Johannesburg’s most famous townships is going high-tech in its fight against crime. Alexandra, created in 1912 and home to an estimated 350,000 people, is planning to install a sophisticated closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, and has opened tender for a 64-camera network, which should be running early next year. By reducing crime, the township hopes to attract much-needed businesses. According to statistics released in 2004, violent crimes such as murder decreased by 15% over 2003, but robbery and illegal possession of firearms rose.

The project is part of the seven-year Alexandra Renewal Project, launched in 2003. It aims to turn the township—known as “Alex”—into a safe and healthy living environment. Initiatives include improving infrastructure, upgrading schools, relocating residents to better homes and residential construction. If successful, the CCTV initiative is expected to be duplicated in other townships.

Catch if you can

September 2005

“Exits and Entrances”

August 31st-September 25th 2005

This new play by Athol Fugard, South Africa's most revered playwright, is a tribute to Andre Huguenet, perhaps South Africa's greatest actor and Mr Fugard's theatrical mentor. Set in Port Elizabeth in 1956 and 1961, the play focuses on Huguenet at the end of his creative life, when Mr Fugard was just starting his career. It chronicles their friendship, between an actor who is struggling to come to terms with his vanishing career, and a younger, wide-eyed playwright.
The play premiered in Los Angeles in 2004 to rave reviews. Now 73, Mr Fugard was declared the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world by Time magazine in 1989.

Market Theatre, 56 Wolhuter St, Newtown. Tel: +27 (0)11 832 1641 ext 111 (box office), or book via Computicket. See also the theatre's website.

More from the Johannesburg cultural calendar