Ramaphosa Leads Major CEO-City Clean-Up Effort in Johannesburg
President Ramaphosa is set to intensify government’s urban renewal drive when he joins the CEO-City Clean-Up programme in Kliptown, Soweto, on Friday morning. The initiative, launched by Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero, is rapidly becoming a collaborative force between government leaders, corporate executives and local communities, all united in the mission of transforming neglected inner-city areas.
The CEO-City Clean-Up programme is gaining momentum at a time when South Africa prepares to welcome global leaders for the upcoming G20 summit. Government departments have expressed confidence that all logistical and infrastructural preparations are on schedule, and the clean-up campaign adds both symbolic and practical value to the country’s readiness efforts. Its commitment to restoring dignity and improving living conditions aligns neatly with the image South Africa hopes to project on the world stage.
The presence of Ramaphosa at the clean-up is not merely ceremonial; it reflects ongoing national efforts to address deteriorating urban environments. Earlier this week, Mayor Morero officially unveiled the CEO-City Clean-Up partnership programme, emphasising the urgency of addressing Johannesburg’s mounting infrastructural decay. He noted that the city’s water infrastructure, much of which is decades old, is crumbling. Ageing sewage pipes and persistent leaks continue to strain municipal systems, contributing to service delivery failures that deeply affect residents.
Morero’s remarks echo concerns raised by Ramaphosa in March, when he openly expressed disappointment with the state of Johannesburg. During that visit, the president confronted first-hand the challenges affecting the metropolitan hub—ranging from waste accumulation to failing service infrastructure. His candid criticism of the city’s condition prompted swift action: the launch of a presidential working group dedicated to accelerating service delivery across major cities, Johannesburg included.
Friday’s involvement in the clean-up campaign is therefore part of a broader and more strategic push by Ramaphosa to revitalize urban spaces and reinforce governmental accountability. The initiative signals a shift from reactive governance to a more proactive, community-inclusive model aimed at addressing urban decay before it escalates.
Ramaphosa’s Presence Strengthens Accountability and Collaboration
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that the CEO-City Clean-Up programme is built on collaboration. It draws in municipal entities, non-profit organisations and some of Johannesburg’s most influential CEOs, pooling resources and expertise to solve persistent service delivery challenges. According to Magwenya, the programme seeks to fast-track urban renewal efforts, improve municipal responsiveness and restore dignity in key precincts that have long suffered from neglect.
For Ramaphosa, this initiative underscores a shared governmental stance on accountability and visible action. Magwenya emphasised that the president’s involvement demonstrates solidarity with communities and city leadership. It also sends a clear message that improving service delivery and urban management is a national priority, not just a municipal one.
Johannesburg, a city that once symbolised economic opportunity and urban modernity, has endured years of infrastructural decline, political instability and administrative inefficiencies. Programmes like the CEO-City Clean-Up offer an opportunity to shift the narrative by highlighting what coordinated leadership and active citizen involvement can achieve. By bringing CEOs and city managers together, the initiative leverages both corporate resources and public sector authority—an approach increasingly seen as essential in addressing complex metropolitan challenges.
The clean-up in Kliptown is expected to focus on waste removal, fixing minor infrastructure faults and engaging with residents to encourage long-term upkeep of their neighbourhoods. But its impact reaches beyond the physical transformation of the area. It serves as a public demonstration of unity between citizens, business leaders and government officials, all committed to reclaiming Johannesburg’s urban spaces.
With Ramaphosa participating directly in the clean-up activities, the event becomes more than just a municipal operation; it becomes a national call to action. His presence reinforces the idea that improving cities requires collective responsibility and consistent follow-through. It also highlights the need to create sustainable systems that prevent decay, rather than short-term interventions that address symptoms but not root causes.
As South Africa moves closer to hosting the G20 summit, the CEO-City Clean-Up programme is expected to continue expanding to other high-priority areas. For now, Kliptown will take centre stage as Ramaphosa, Morero and Johannesburg’s top executives work side-by-side with residents to build a cleaner, safer and more dignified environment.
Source- EWN
