This report captures public sentiment toward four of South Africa\u2019s largest metros: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, and eThekwini.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DataEQ processed and labelled online conversations of nearly 300,000 online public mentions to identify the true drivers of public trust, frustration, and perception across these cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, the City of Tshwane recorded the best overall Net Sentiment. Residents praised the delivery of clean water to Hammanskraal, mayor-led clean-up campaigns, and proactive bylaw enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sentiment toward eThekwini was split. The city drew praise for beachfront redevelopment and festive safety initiatives, but ongoing water crises and governance concerns significantly eroded public confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Equally interesting is that despite receiving reputational praise for being named the World\u2019s Best City by other publications and surveys, local sentiment around Cape Town is still mixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape Town residents expressed frustration over water-related issues, allegations of corruption, and poor transparency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, many also praised the city\u2019s housing, transport, and general service delivery performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) received the highest volume of negative conversation, with residents voicing frustration over prolonged power outages, infrastructure failures, and a lack of municipal response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite overall less negative commentary on electricity in the major metros due to reduced load shedding, citizens were still negative about power cuts in Joburg, with a Net Sentiment of -97%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CoJ also earned the lowest Net Sentiment of -81% as residents criticised the city for inconsistent waste collection and deteriorating public space hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over one-third of all safety-related complaints were linked to the CoJ. Citizens referenced illegal activity, crime, and called for stronger enforcement and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also highlighted that many of the city\u2019s official social media posts attracted criticism tied to ongoing dissatisfaction with power cuts, water shortages, safety concerns, and urban decay.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public responses emphasised that event-driven improvements, such as those anticipated for the G20, should not replace consistent, long-term service delivery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City of Johannesbug is the poster child of decay <\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Johannesburg-Water-headline-image-1024x576.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nResidents’ frustration in major metros is not going unnoticed, with the Auditor-General, business leaders, and the executive mayor acknowledging the crisis facing the CoJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During his State of the City Address (SOCA) in May, Mayor Dada Morero spoke at length about the city’s state of rot, which he called a crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need extreme actions to resolve our challenges,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city\u2019s road network is deteriorating rapidly, and it will take an estimated R16 billion to bring it back to acceptable condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Widespread vandalism and theft further compound the situation, with criminal syndicates regularly stripping copper wiring, solar panels, and batteries from traffic lights, leaving many intersections dark and dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city\u2019s energy grid is also buckling under the strain. City Power, Johannesburg\u2019s municipal electricity provider, is overwhelmed by ageing infrastructure, rampant theft, and chronic underinvestment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city now faces a R170 billion backlog in electricity infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Water systems are in similarly dire straits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nResidents’ frustration in major metros is not going unnoticed, with the Auditor-General, business leaders, and the executive mayor acknowledging the crisis facing the CoJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During his State of the City Address (SOCA) in May, Mayor Dada Morero spoke at length about the city’s state of rot, which he called a crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need extreme actions to resolve our challenges,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city\u2019s road network is deteriorating rapidly, and it will take an estimated R16 billion to bring it back to acceptable condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Widespread vandalism and theft further compound the situation, with criminal syndicates regularly stripping copper wiring, solar panels, and batteries from traffic lights, leaving many intersections dark and dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city\u2019s energy grid is also buckling under the strain. City Power, Johannesburg\u2019s municipal electricity provider, is overwhelmed by ageing infrastructure, rampant theft, and chronic underinvestment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The city now faces a R170 billion backlog in electricity infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Water systems are in similarly dire straits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n