Killarney and Riviera residents take to the streets to highlight local governance concerns

A spirited group of residents from Killarney and Riviera took to the streets on the evening of May 7 in a community walk that was as much about local pride as it was about local pressure. Joined by Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett, the walk served as a platform for residents to air grievances, ask pointed questions, and better understand how their local government functions, or fails to do so.

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Community member Malik Dasoo, motivated by mounting frustrations over the ongoing water crisis plaguing Johannesburg, spearheaded the walk. According to Dasoo, the crisis, marked by extensive water leaks and infrastructure decay, symbolises a broader breakdown in municipal service delivery and accountability. He noted that while residents often feel disconnected from decision-making structures, councillors serve as their formal link to city leadership and should be regularly engaged.

“The idea was to create a space where residents could directly ask: What is our councillor doing to represent us at the city level?” said Dasoo. The planning, assisted by fellow residents Nadia Nikakhtar and Ismail Randeree, aimed to raise concerns about basic services, and start deeper conversations around governance, oversight, and how local structures function.

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The group, consisting of several residents, discussed a range of issues during the walk. Among the most frequently mentioned were water leaks, delayed road repairs, and poor street lighting. While these concerns are valid, Dasoo believes the conversation needs to evolve. He emphasised that residents should hold their councillor accountable, not only for visible service failures, but also for her effectiveness in council committees, where policies and oversight are shaped.

Huggett, joined by her dog Charley, welcomed the engagement and acknowledged the warm reception. She expressed appreciation for the community’s proactive spirit and reiterated her commitment to resolving persistent problems. However, she highlighted the reality that local government is overwhelmed, with councillors spending most of their time on daily service complaints – tasks that fall outside their official part-time roles.

Huggett noted that the current administrative environment, constrained by budget cuts and bureaucratic inefficiencies, makes even simple fixes difficult. Nevertheless, she continues to advocate for improved service delivery, and urges residents to report issues promptly through appropriate channels. She also encouraged them to join the New Killarney-Riviera Association (NKRA), which is important in tackling issues like the controversial taxi rank and broader safety concerns.

The walk also exposed structural challenges in local governance. Residents and organisers voiced concerns over the lack of responsiveness from city contractors, poor communication between officials and communities, and unclear expectations around the councillor’s role. Many felt that Huggett’s responses lacked detail, particularly around her committee work and strategic initiatives in council.

Dasoo proposed that future walks focus on specific questions to better address governance issues, such as ‘What subcommittees do you sit on?’ and ‘How are you addressing corruption?’. While turnout was modest, the event was seen as a vital step in rebuilding trust between residents and representatives. Organisers plan to hold community walks quarterly to encourage consistent engagement for long-term change.

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