The Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg, Councillor Geoff Makhubo has thrown newly appointed directors of city-owned entities a challenge to ensure that Jozi claws back its trailblazing status among South African cities.

 Addressing newly appointed non-executive directors of the City's 12 entities at the annual general meeting (AGM) at the Roodepoort Theatre in Region C on Wednesday, 11 March, Mayor Makhubo said Cape Town has overtaken Johannesburg as a favourite tourist destination.

 “Although Johannesburg doesn't boast a mountain or the sea, the City is still standing while all other mining towns around South Africa have died. Joburg managed to reinvent itself. Tourism is an important sector with a potential to contribute significantly to economic development. We need to go back to basics and attract more tourists to a cleaner and safer Joburg," Mayor Makhubo said.

 Before directors' reports, social and ethics committee reports were presented, the mayor welcomed the new directors to the city and thanked those who have served the City selflessly and diligently.

“The role that you're starting today need to be taken seriously and with an understanding of the mandate of the company you will be reporting to. The bulk of the City's budget is allocated to entities, that's why service delivery must be accelerated. Let's work together and create a better life for all citizens of Johannesburg. Let's not wait for things to break down before we spring into action," said Mayor Makhubo.

 The AGM brings together top decision makers within the City and it is a key platform to coordinate all of the City's 12 entities towards a cohesive vision for service delivery, something that was flagged by the Auditor-General.

 A representative from the Auditor-General's office, Msizi Mavundla, noted that the City lacked a single coordinated approach of doing things and consequence management was non-existent. He said this resulted in the City regressing on most aspects. The IT environment had still not been strengthened despite being flagged countlessly by the AG's office.

 Only two entities, the Joburg Development Agency and the Joburg Theatre achieved clean audits, while most were mired in supply chain management infringements and wasteful and fruitless expenditure, among other adverse findings.

 Although the City Manager, Dr Ndivhoniswani Lukhwareni' s presentation was peppered with humour and had the audience shaking in their seats with laughter, it was also underlined by a serious undertone of taking accountability, accelerating delivery and embracing ethical and proper governance systems.

 The day's event was not only focused on serious matters of running the country's biggest metro. Before proceedings began, participants were showered by the melodious voices of the Soweto Gospel Choir, which had everyone on their feet, clapping their troubles away.

 The cherry on top was when Speaker of Council, Cllr Nonceba Molwele presented Getty Simelane, the chairperson of the Joburg Water board with a bouquet of flowers for her 19 years of service as a board member at City-owned entities, making her the longest serving non-executive director in the City of Johannesburg.