Welcome to the very first edition of What’s Trending in Infrastructure with Siya! This is a first of many blogs, and I will be bringing you the latest buzz on infrastructure issues and successes across the country, and maybe the world. From potholes to heritage battles and city planning dilemmas, we will dive into it all right here. Being from the Buffalo City Metro, let’s kick off with a topic I know all too well: potholes. But we will not stop there – we will also talk about the evictions at the Castle of Good Hope and Johannesburg’s internal struggles.
If you are from the Buffalo City Metro like me then you are familiar with the condition of the roads – potholes are pretty much a part of everyday life. Dodging them, repairing damage to your car, or just mentally preparing for the bumpy ride – it is all part of the package. But now that it is Transport Month, here is a big question: are things actually going to change in the country’s transport sphere?
In August 2023, Mayor Princess Faku launched a road repair initiative, aiming to tackle the city’s pothole problem. Although some progress has been seen, with over 4,000 potholes patched since the last financial year, the issue remains far from resolved, as road conditions continue to deteriorate. The fixes come and go, but the potholes just keep coming back. So, here is an even bigger question: are these repairs really going to last? Or are we going to find ourselves in the same situation next year, using the same bumpy roads?
Anyway, let us shift gears and head to Cape Town – keep it coastal. The Castle of Good Hope is in the spotlight – but not for its history. Homeless individuals living around the Castle are being evicted, as the city moves to “restore the dignity” of this national heritage site. On the one hand, the Castle of Good Hope is an important symbol of our nation’s past, and the City of Cape Town believe its surroundings need to be cleared to preserve that history and have more people visit. But on the other hand, these are real people – many of whom have nowhere else to go. So, what is the balance? Is there a way to protect our heritage while also showing compassion to the people who live there?
According to a recent report, the eviction deadline for the homeless living outside the Castle of Good Hope has already passed, but many remain and refuse to move.
Now let us head to Johannesburg, the City of Gold. The city is facing what a recent X page calls a “Jozi vs Jozi” dilemma. One side wants to push for urban renewal, skyscrapers, and flashy developments that would transform Johannesburg into a world-class city. However, many residents are still fighting for basic needs like affordable housing, access to water, and reliable public transport.
As highlighted in a recent article, Johannesburg’s infrastructure is crumbling, and the city’s internal conflict is becoming increasingly evident. There are calls for national intervention to address these systemic issues before it is too late. This internal conflict over priorities is shaping the city’s future and could define Johannesburg for generations to come.
I hope you enjoyed the first of many conversations we will have on What’s Trending in Infrastructure … We started with some pretty heavy news, but I promise, next time we will share some success stories in our infrastructure journey!
Did you enjoy this week’s highlights? I’d love to get your thoughts!