Download PDFOn Saturday, 1 November 2025, frustrated residents from different parts of Johannesburg came together outside the City Chambers in Braamfontein to demand action from the city to address the ongoing water crisis. They were joined by several civic organisations and trade unions, all calling on the City of Johannesburg, the Mayor’s Office, and Johannesburg Water to urgently deal with water shortages that have left many communities without running water for months.
Residents spoke about how the water cuts have made everyday life extremely difficult. Some said that for more than six months, their taps have run dry. Parents explained how children are being sent back home from school because there’s no water, which affects their learning and health. “Our children can’t go to school or even wash properly,” said one resident. “We are tired of empty promises, we just want water.”
Mayor Dada Morero received the memorandum from the protesters and said he would respond after meeting with community leaders. He also promised to visit the affected areas with his team. “For the city to work better, it needs the voices of communities and organisations,” he said.
However, in a later interview with another media outlet, the Mayor seemed to question the clarity of the protest, saying: “I have received the memorandum. We will meet with the leadership and give them a response. But how can I respond when some people are not even sure what brought them here?”
Zintle Tyuku, spokesperson for Amandla.mobi, said the water crisis has reached a breaking point and needs urgent attention. “This is an emergency. Communities that can’t afford to pay for water are being forced to pay, and everyone is struggling. We need the city to act immediately,” she said.
The protest reflects the anger and desperation of Johannesburg residents who have been living with dry taps, unreliable water supply, and little accountability from those in power. For many, the demand is simple: access to clean, reliable water, a basic human right.
This article was submitted on 03 November 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
