Knuckle City at DIFF 2019

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟮 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. Embattled City of Johannesburg residents face another imminent rates increase. But are residents getting bang for their buck? Or is the city increasingly self-serving, losing sight of its purpose? Revenue from electricity sales has always been the backbone of Jo’burg’s finances, but City Power itself faces massive debt and a R26 billion infrastructure backlog. With substations crumbling, and thieves repeatedly attacking what little is left, Carte Blanche gets answers on whether the City of Gold can reinvent itself and start delivering to its frustrated residents. 

From his move away from the big city to his commitment to his faith, Anele Matoti delves into his character Frank.

Data analyst Michael O'Donovan sets out the various challenges City Power and the City of Johannesburg face - and how those challenges will have a direct impact on residents and their pockets.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. In a rapidly expanding city, where housing development is sorely needed, residents’ rights to ensure building projects proceed on a sustainable basis have to be carefully balanced. Now, one successful developer, working to bring relief to the housing needs in the Diepsloot area west of Johannesburg, has brought a R197-million lawsuit against a small environmental organisation that has dedicated its existence to ensuring responsible development on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Is it a legitimate claim for real damages brought on by the delays that objections in the public participation process have caused? Or is this a case of so-called Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) – an abusive bullying tactic to undermine legitimate expression?