World Class City

Article published on 23 July 2013

Johannesburg, no longer a world class city, both by the standards of the advertising authority and those of Mr. Steven Haywood.
Mr Haywood simply could not tolerate the what he felt were lies being spewed by the City of Johannesburg in their advertising campaign. Clearly he felt he was being mislead by statements in the advertising which ranged from “financially stable city” to “a city that continues to create more jobs” and “saves the environment through different energy interventions”.
Mr Haywood qualified his arguments by quoting three consecutive audits in which the City of Johannesburg failed.

In defence of the City of Johannesburg and those who developed this advertisement we certainly have been given plenty to think about. Is this possibly an unqualified call to arms. The ad uses the word 'imagine' and then goes on to apply certain characteristics to Johannesburg.

Mr haywood quite justifiably called them on it. But, when you heard the ad, did you not imagine those very things?

The Office of the Mayor of Johannesburg has said that it would appeal the ruling which led to it having to remove the 'World class' from it's slogan. We all wonder on what grounds this appeal would be based, however we would be remiss in our duty as citizens of Johannesburg if we did not ask ourselves and the City Council what could indeed be done to earn back that very accolade of which the city has been stripped.

Maybe Mr Haywood has a few suggestions.