Transforming Johannesburg: Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster’s ambitious plans as BOSA’s mayoral candidate
As the road to the local government elections on November 4 heats up, Build One South Africa (BOSA) has taken a significant step towards reshaping the future of Johannesburg with the announcement of its mayoral candidate, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster.
During the unveiling ceremony at the Forum in Bryanston on Wednesday afternoon, party leader Dr Mmusi Maimane introduced Hlazo-Webster, highlighting her capability and vision for one of South Africa’s most influential cities.
“Joburg’s future cannot be defined solely by fixing what is broken. That is the minimum requirement of leadership. Our ambition must be greater,” Hlazo-Webster said during the announcement. Her vision for Johannesburg transcends mere renovation; it aims to cultivate an innovative, thriving metropolis that offers opportunities and attracts investment.
At the heart of Hlazo-Webster’s campaign are six critical pillars designed to tackle the pressing issues facing Johannesburg, including building a skills-led city, economic development through township entrepreneurship, an integrated government-led economy, a corruption-free city, a much safer Johannesburg, and reviving the city as the logistical capital.
Backed by the visionary support of Dr Maimane, Hlazo-Webster aims to guide Johannesburg into a new era of possibility and prosperity. She has set her sights on initiating substantial changes within her first 100 days in office, indicating her readiness to act swiftly and effectively.
One of her flagship initiatives will be the establishment of a special business advisory council comprising leaders from various sectors, including business, finance, technology, logistics, and entrepreneurship. This council is envisioned to play a pivotal role in advising the city and addressing barriers to investment. “The question is not simply how we repair Johannesburg, but how we realise everything Johannesburg can become: a city of possibility,” she emphasised.
In addition to economic revival, Hlazo-Webster has articulated the necessity of consolidating governance across crucial municipal entities such as City Power, Joburg Water, and the Johannesburg Roads Agency. “We intend to end the fragmentation of municipal governance by progressively integrating municipal entities into a more accountable and efficient city administration,” she explained, showcasing her intent to create a more streamlined administration that serves the residents effectively.
Furthermore, Hlazo-Webster highlighted the importance of a new approach to managing coalition governments to prevent political infighting from hampering service delivery. “Having studied coalitions on the continent and other parts of the world, our challenge has been entering coalitions focused solely on bartering for positions, without having an agreed programme with clear deliverables,” she asserted.
