Mlungisi Mabaso’s Plan to Revive Johannesburg
Who Is Mlungisi Mabaso?
Mlungisi Mabaso is the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) candidate for mayor of Johannesburg. He currently serves on the city’s Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, a role he received in 2024 under former mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.
Why Johannesburg Needs a Change
South Africa’s biggest city has been relying heavily on government grants and bank loans to keep services running. Mabaso says this dependence is unhealthy and prevents Johannesburg from standing on its own feet.
Fixing Revenue Leaks and Fighting Corruption
According to Mabaso, Johannesburg already has a large revenue base, but money is slipping away through inefficiencies and corruption.
- He points out that the city should be collecting more money than it currently does.
- Closing these “leaks” would free up funds for infrastructure projects like roads, water, and electricity.
- By tackling corruption directly, the city can ensure that every rand collected goes toward improving residents’ lives.
Turning Illegal Settlements Back into Industrial Zones
Many of Johannesburg’s former industrial sites have been occupied by informal housing. Mabaso wants to reclaim these areas for their original purpose.
Re‑industrialising these sites would:
- Create spaces for factories, warehouses, and tech hubs.
- Generate tax revenue that the city can reinvest.
- Reduce the pressure on residential areas that are currently overcrowded.
Creating Jobs and Attracting Big Business
Mabaso believes that a thriving industrial sector will draw large companies back to Johannesburg.
When big businesses set up shop:
- They hire local workers, cutting unemployment.
- Employees earn wages, spend money in the city, and pay taxes.
- The city becomes less reliant on handouts and more self‑sufficient.
He also stresses that more jobs mean fewer people turning to informal settlements for survival, helping to tidy up the city’s landscape.
IFP Leader Backs the Vision
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa echoed Mabaso’s ideas, reminding everyone that Johannesburg is the economic engine of South Africa.
“If Johannesburg works, South Africa works,” Hlabisa said, highlighting how the city’s success ripples outward to the rest of the nation.
Conclusion
Mlungisi Mabaso’s plan centers on three core ideas:
- Stop revenue losses and crack down on corruption.
- Reclaim industrial land from informal use.
- Attract big business to create jobs and boost the city’s income.
If these steps are followed, Johannesburg could move away from depending on grants and loans, rebuild its economic strength, and offer residents a brighter future.
