Johannesburg was as soon as a metropolis of dreamers, a gold city that seduced prospectors from throughout hoping to strike it wealthy. Lately, although, town has been one thing of a political punchline, a metropolis the place many residents’ spirits are as darkish because the streetlights.
In May, after days of brinkmanship and arm twisting, town inaugurated its sixth mayor in 22 months: Kabelo Gwamanda, a first-term metropolis councilor from a political social gathering that obtained simply 1 % of the vote within the earlier municipal election.
His ascent capped the newest chapter in a political cleaning soap opera the place mayoral phrases are measured in weeks and months, and the place the shortcoming of council members to stay with a pacesetter has resulted in a municipal mess. Johannesburg residents have been the most important losers.
While political leaders bicker over energy and cliques, exasperated residents usually wrestle by means of days with out electrical energy and water, dodge cratered roads and fret about dilapidated buildings, such because the one which caught hearth on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, Mr. Gwamanda was on the scene of the hearth together with members of town’s coalition authorities. He blamed years of neglect for the circumstances that led to the blaze, though he vowed that his administration could be accountable.
“This government is only six months old, and already we are facing historic challenges,” he stated.
Source: www.nytimes.com