Johannesburg Matters

Report Two: Joburg’s Broken Budget

Johannesburg is dangerously short of cash. And the consequences are visible across the city.

Please join us for the online launch of Joburg’s Broken Budget, the second report in CDE’s Johannesburg Matters series.

The report shows how years of unrealistic budgeting have helped drive Johannesburg into a chronic financial crisis. The City budgets for revenues it cannot collect, while failing to keep its costs in line with the cash actually coming in.

The pressures are mounting. Over the past five years, average remuneration in the City has risen by about 10% a year – an extraordinary increase for a municipality under such severe financial strain.

The result is a City that remains technically solvent but is increasingly cash starved. Johannesburg owns billions of rands’ worth of roads, pipes, electricity infrastructure and other assets, but does not generate enough dependable cash to maintain and expand them. And, increasingly, it is not able to meet its obligations in full and on time.

What went wrong? What needs to change if the City is to fund the basic services and infrastructure on which its future depends?

Online launch

Daniel Mminele, chairman, Nedbank Group and CDE Board Member will chair the event.

Ann Bernstein, CDE’s executive director, will present the report’s key findings and recommendations.

Antony Altbeker, independent consultant with considerable experience in public finance, and author of a research paper commissioned by CDE, Johannesburg’s Finances (2026).

This will be followed by Q&A.

Date:      Tuesday 25 August 2026
Time:      10 to 11:30 am
Register: https://cde-org-za.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3bJNn8F2SOe0cW65QWSTfg

You need a Zoom account to register, and you can sign up (at no cost) on zoom.us. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please contact Brenda Lunda | events@cde.org.za for registration queries. Please liaise with Refiloe Benjamin to coordinate media queries: media@cde.org.za | 011 482 5140.

PS: If you missed Report One: Joburg in Jeopardy, see here