Joburg Unites Under the Call – “No Water, No Vote”

Joburg Crisis Alliance Pledges Ongoing Action Until Water Is Guaranteed

The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) led a united protest at the Metro Centre on 1 November 2025, highlighting Johannesburg’s severe water crisis and the failure of the City to properly manage its water infrastructure and finances.

On 1 November 2025, residents from every corner of Johannesburg came together outside the Metro Centre to demand answers and action over the ongoing water crisis. The protest, led by the Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) WaterCAN and many others, became a powerful symbol of unity – communities crossing lines of race, class, and neighbourhoods to insist on one shared message: access to water is a basic right, not a privilege.

The crisis facing Johannesburg today did not begin overnight. Years of poor governance, underfunded infrastructure, mismanaged entities, and weak accountability have left the city struggling to deliver the most essential of services. The protest highlighted that people are no longer willing to wait for political parties to “fix it later” – active citizenry is now essential.

Ahead of the protest, the JCA and partner organisations including WaterCAN, JoburgCAN, CADE, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, and others issued a formal letter of demand to the Executive Mayor. Their key demands include:

• Protecting and ring-fencing funds for water and sanitation

• A review of the Joburg Water account and budget decisions

• Implementing the City’s Water Turnaround Strategy

• Investigating tanker tender contracts

• Partnering openly with civil society to find sustainable solutions

• Ensuring fair access to piped water for all communities

Mayor Dada Morero attended the protest and personally accepted the demands – acknowledging that civil society has the responsibility to hold government accountable. He described the demonstration as a “revolutionary act”.

The JCA has made it clear that this is only the beginning. The Alliance will now track water availability community by community, verify conditions on the ground, and follow up on commitments made by the City. Any upcoming engagements with the City must include concrete timelines, budget allocations, and transparent reporting.

If meaningful progress is not made, the accountability campaign will intensify in 2026.

Because until every tap runs – the struggle continues.

Join the movement for a better Joburg.