MANDY WIENER | G20 is lipstick on a pig: The real work is happening on the ground

There was a saying that Queen Elizabeth II thought the world smelled like fresh paint.

Joburg is gearing up for the G20 summit later in November, and the city is getting a fresh lick of paint ahead of the arrival of world leaders.

In Sandton, traffic lights have been fixed, road upgrades have been done, and potholes are being filled. On the side of the M1 highway in Killarney this week, I saw a display of flowers being arranged, beautifying a sign reading 'G20'.

At the R24 Gillooly’s intersection from the OR Tambo International Airport, there is a brilliant installation, sponsored by Investec, featuring artist James Delaney’s metal sculptures. Five zebras and 80 flying egrets have been installed as part of the JoziMyJozi initiative to revitalise the city's gateways, hastened by the upcoming G20.

They are all cut from steel, powder-coated and set into the ground in concrete, but regardless, many have suggested on social media that they will be stolen.

In response, Delaney has said, "Remember that nothing will improve if we don’t try and take little risks. It’s way easier to be an armchair critic than actually get off your *** and do something."

You see, James Delaney knows a thing or two about actually doing the work of improving our city. He has spearheaded the revival of The Wilds in Houghton in the most remarkable and inspiring way. He is the personification of active citizenship at its very best.

"When I started fixing up The Wilds a decade ago, and started putting sculptures up to draw people back, I got lots of the same. 'Oh, they’ll get stolen, bla blah.' They’re still there. Enjoyed by over 10,000 visitors a month now, in what is the top-rated park in the city,’ said Delaney on his Facebook page.

Fixing up the city of Joburg is not just about putting on a fresh lick of paint and beautifying the highways. That’s just putting lipstick on a pig. While the G20 has provided a catalyst to accelerate some much-needed fixes, the underlying fundamentals must be addressed.

And with the local government elections a year away, this will have to be a priority. Sadly, the city of Joburg has been badly mismanaged by a series of inefficient coalition governments. Infrastructure has collapsed, poverty has taken hold, and crime has overrun the CBD.

This past weekend, I took part in the Vitality Chicken Run, sponsored by Nando’s and Discovery, through the Joburg CBD. It is an initiative of Jozi My Jozi, a civil society organisation that is doing remarkable work improving the central business district.

Jozi was on display, warts and all, as we ran through Hillbrow. Of course, the route had been spruced up a bit in the same way that Sandton is being polished for the G20. But still, we saw the decay and the rot. Hijacked buildings, broken windows, crumbling pavements, drunkards spilling out of shebeens, the lawlessness of taxis running riot.

But we also saw the best of the city. A vibrancy and energy that is unmatched. Kids hanging out windows, cheering us on, kids high-fiving us on the side of the road, the same drunkards running along with us and encouraging participants.

It reminded me what could be possible if we are able to truly fix the city.

The work is already being done on the ground through projects of collaboration and private citizens coming on board.

Jozi My Jozi is driving the change, supported by corporate South Africa and in conjunction with government administrators.

The fact that corporates like Anglo and Standard Bank, and IQ Business are stepping up to assist, tells us that the desire is there to change it.

The real work is happening on the ground. Public transit revitalisation, addressing homelessness, ECD centre registrations, technology centres for kids, adopting a park or a traffic light, and turning dumping sites into community gardens. It is individuals who are choosing to roll up their sleeves and get involved that are making the difference.

But that won’t be enough. Strong, capable leadership is also required. We need government administrators who are not only willing to involve the private sector but who can get the state to deliver on its promises.

We need an administration that is going to remedy the water and load reduction crises. We need ethical leadership that will root out corruption and stand up to cartels and syndicates that have entrenched themselves in the city. We need a government that genuinely cares for its citizens.

Putting lipstick on a pig for a global summit is not enough. When the cavalcades move on and the world’ media depart, remember the people who are doing the real work on the ground. They need your support.