Residents from across Johannesburg gathered on 1 November 2025 in a powerful demonstration demanding action on the city’s deepening water crisis. Organised under the banner of the Joburg Water Forum, of which JoburgCAN is a member, the protest drew together diverse neighbourhoods under a common cause: to demand accountability and a genuine partnership from city officials.
“We’ve seen multiple breakdowns in the city for years,” said Julia Fish, the JoburgCAN manager. “We’re talking about water shedding, where people don’t have water all night because reservoirs are shut down, and we’re being told that we have to come to the party to start saving water, doing something about overconsumption. But why are we doing that when we’re watching water pour down the streets from leaks and multiple other issues?”
Fish said the demonstration marked a shift in how communities intend to engage with city leadership. “Today, we are not just speaking about water,” she said. “We have decided to come as a collective, to come as one, and tell the city that we are done with their excuses. We want answers. We want timelines. We want deliverables.”
Crucially, residents also underscored their willingness to work with local officials. “We’re not just pointing the finger and saying they have to fix things,” Ms Fish said. “We’re also saying we’re here as your partners, as people in the city who want to roll up their sleeves and get something done. We want to actually fix Joburg. We’re here to co-govern. Let’s come up with solutions together.”