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Voting for Joburg E19: Will Joburg's Coalition Chaos Continue?

Johannesburg voters could be heading for another five years of political instability — unless parties change the way they approach coalition government. That's the warning from governance experts who say the city's revolving leadership and political deal-making have helped undermine service delivery. And with no single party guaranteed an outright…

2 Nov 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep18: We want the promised basics

Running water, working traffic lights, safe streets and politicians who actually care about the people they're supposed to serve. That's what's topping the wish list for Johannesburg voters ahead of the local government elections on the 4th of November. HOT1027 News has been speaking to residents across the city —…

2 Nov 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep17: Who's really in control of Joburg's inner city?

Johannesburg's hijacked buildings have become a disturbing symbol of a city that's lost control of some of it’s vital parts. Illegal immigration, criminal exploitation and the failure to enforce building and safety regulations are all part of a growing debate about how to reclaim the CBD. With elections just days…

1 Nov 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep16: R220 Billion: The cost of fixing our city

If you've driven into a pothole, had your water cut off or spent another evening without electricity, you know Johannesburg has problems. But have you ever wondered what it would actually cost to fix them? The answer makes for sobering reading ahead of next week's municipal elections. HOT1027's Jeremy Maggs…

30 Oct 1 min

Hot Cares Weekly Wrap: Feeding families, helping animals & making music with R732 000 in kindness

Thousands of litres of chicken manure are helping community gardens feed hungry families, an animal welfare organisation caring for more than 2,000 dogs and cats is getting a helping hand, and young people are discovering the joy of making music — all thanks to the generosity of HOT1027 listeners. And…

30 Oct 3 min

Voting for Joburg Ep15: Good Enough for the G20. Why Not for Joburgers?

Johannesburg managed to put on a much cleaner face for the world's leaders during the G20 summit — so why can't it do the same for the people who live here? That's the question civic activists are asking ahead of the local government elections on the 4th of November. HOT1027's…

30 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep14: The qualifications behind the crisis

Johannesburg's water and electricity crises aren't just about broken infrastructure — they're also about the people appointed to run the city's most important services. With just days to go until Joburgers vote, The Centre for Development and Enterprise is raising serious concerns about the technical expertise on the boards of…

30 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep13: What if voters turned the tables?

What if Joburg voters stopped waiting for politicians’ promises and told them exactly what they expect? Ahead of next week's local elections, some communities are drawing up their own manifestos and demanding commitments from candidates before deciding who deserves their votes. Democracy activists say it could change the relationship between…

29 Oct 2 min

Turning Stroke Trauma into Hope for Others

A South African stroke survivor who spent months desperately searching for help after losing his ability to walk and speak is now launching a free app to make sure others don't have to face that same struggle. George Scola suffered a stroke at just 37 and went on to establish…

29 Oct 2 min

World Stroke Day: "It can happen to anyone"

A South African man who suffered a devastating stroke at just 37 is warning that surviving is often only the beginning of a much bigger battle. George Scola lost his business, his marriage and his independence in the months after his stroke — and says he struggled to find anyone…

29 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep12: "A budget built on fiscal fiction"

Johannesburg is budgeting for money it may never receive — and residents are paying the price. That's the warning from the Centre for Development and Enterprise, which says the city's finances are built on unrealistic assumptions about how much money it can collect from households, businesses and government departments. And…

29 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep11: Big on Talk, Light on action

Johannesburg's councillors hold meetings, debate problems and make decisions — but residents are still dodging potholes, sitting without water and navigating streets with broken traffic lights. So what exactly is being achieved inside the council chamber? That's the question civic activists are asking ahead of the local government elections on…

28 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep10: After the vote, who do you call?

When your water disappears, your streetlights stop working or a pothole threatens to swallow your car… who are you supposed to call? Your ward councillor should be one of the people helping you get answers. But what exactly are councillors responsible for — and how do you hold them accountable…

28 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg Ep9: You're NOT voting for a mayor

You may have seen the faces of Johannesburg's would-be mayors plastered across election posters. But here's something every voter should know. On the 4th of November, you're NOT actually voting for a mayor. You're voting for the councillors who will represent you in Johannesburg's City Council — and THEY will…

27 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg: Episode 8: A city worth saving

Johannesburg may be battered and bruised — but it's far from beaten. After years of crumbling infrastructure, unreliable services and political turmoil, there's a growing movement of residents, businesses and civic organisations determined to help bring the city back to life. And while the challenges are enormous, those working on…

27 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg: Episode 7: Why bother?

Why bother voting when the roads are still crumbling, the taps keep running dry and politicians seem to make the same promises every election? It's a question many frustrated Johannesburg residents will be asking themselves ahead of the local government elections on the 4th of November. But civic organisations warn…

26 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg: Episode 6: Promises vs reality

With the local government elections fast approaching, voters are once again being asked to put their trust in politicians who say they can turn the city around. Joburgers know that every election comes with promises...better roads, reliable water, cleaner streets and an end to corruption. But for many , those…

26 Oct 2 min

Hot Cares Weekly Wrap: R607 000 worth of lifelines

A mother of three is getting help to continue her life-saving dialysis, a teenage sporting champion is getting vital rehabilitation, and a young woman has been awarded a life-changing bursary — all thanks to the kindness of HOT1027 listeners. And with Teddython 2026 just around the corner, Hot Cares has…

23 Oct 3 min

Voting for Joburg: Episode 5: "They bicker like children"

Johannesburg's broken infrastructure is one thing. But what about the political leadership responsible for fixing it? With the local government elections approaching, attention is turning to the people running South Africa's economic powerhouse — and whether political infighting is getting in the way of delivering basic services. After years of…

23 Oct 2 min

Voting for Joburg: A city budget built on assumptions

Johannesburg has a municipal budget running into tens of billions of rand. So why are our roads crumbling, our water systems failing and residents increasingly being forced to provide basic services themselves? With local government elections just weeks away, questions are mounting about how the city spends our money —…

22 Oct 2 min