Introduction: A verdict that stings for South Africa
When rankings crown the cleanest cities on the continent, expectations often rise along with curiosity about everyday lived experience. A recent release based on data from a leading study of Africa’s urban allure—The 30 Most Attractive African Cities—has delivered a verdict that many South Africans might find uncomfortable. Cape Town and Johannesburg, two of the country’s most recognizable metropolises, have slipped down the cleanliness ladder, while other cities across Africa have risen in public perception as cleaner and better maintained. The results underscore a broader truth: residents judge city cleanliness not only by street-sweeping and waste management, but also by how tidy, safe, and well-maintained a city feels on a daily basis.
In this article, we explore what the rankings measure, what the public reaction reveals about expectations, and how South African cities are responding to the push for higher cleanliness standards across urban landscapes.
Understanding the rankings: what does “cleanliness” mean in this context?
Cleanliness in urban rankings usually combines several factors: waste collection efficiency, street cleanliness, public sanitation facilities, pest control, air and water quality, and visible maintenance of public spaces. The latest release draws on a mix of objective metrics and resident perceptions to paint a picture of how cities feel to people who live in them daily. While Cape Town and Johannesburg remain economic and cultural powerhouses, the data suggests their street-level realities are not always aligned with the glossy reputations those cities project internationally.
Experts caution that a city’s appearance can be influenced by seasonal factors, municipal budgets, and the scale of informal settlements relative to formal urban space. Nevertheless, the public’s verdict matters just as much as the numbers, because it affects tourism, investment, and quality of life for residents who navigate crowded neighborhoods, transit hubs, and busy precincts every day.
Cape Town and Johannesburg: why the drop matters
Cape Town has long been celebrated for its tourism draws, iconic landscapes, and a well-planned municipal framework. Johannesburg, the continent’s financial hub, is equally symbolic for its reach and energy. A perception of reduced cleanliness challenges both cities to translate global prestige into tangible, everyday conditions: regular rubbish collection, maintenance of parks, and reliable sanitation services in all neighborhoods, not just the affluent corridors.
The drop in the rankings does not negate their strengths but highlights a demand from residents for more consistent cleanliness across the urban fabric. In many cases, the most visible issues are in peri-urban fringes, informal settlements, and rapidly expanding suburbs where service delivery can lag behind population growth. City authorities are increasingly aware that improving everyday cleanliness feeds into broader goals—safety, health outcomes, and civic pride.
What other African cities are rising, and what can be learned
Several African cities outside South Africa have surged in the rankings by delivering tangible improvements in waste management, street maintenance, and public health infrastructure. These cities show that targeted investments in sanitation networks, street cleaning fleets, and community-based cleanliness initiatives can shift perception quickly. The lesson for Johannesburg and Cape Town is simple: progress in urban cleanliness is an ongoing process that requires sustained funding, transparent governance, and active citizen engagement.
Public feedback channels, accountability mechanisms, and transparent reporting on service delivery are increasingly shaping how cities respond to cleanliness challenges. When residents see consistent results—more frequent street cleaning, better drop-off facilities, and reliable recycling programs—the overall reputation of a city improves, even if other urban strengths remain unchanged.
Looking ahead: practical steps for cleaner cities
For South Africa’s major metros, several practical steps can reinforce improvements in city cleanliness:
- Expand and modernize waste collection with clear schedules and real-time updates.
- Increase public sanitation facilities in high-traffic areas and ensure they are well-lit and maintained.
- Invest in park and public-space maintenance, including regular landscaping and litter control in informal settlements.
- Strengthen community sanitation programs and public awareness campaigns to foster shared responsibility.
- Enhance data transparency by publishing regular cleanliness metrics and progress dashboards.
Conclusion: a call for consistent, citywide pride
Ultimately, Africa’s cleanest city rankings are more than a snapshot of streets and bins. They reflect how a city’s residents experience daily life and how governments respond to those experiences. While Cape Town and Johannesburg may have slipped in this edition, the reforms and investments underway across many African cities offer hope that cleanliness—and the pride that comes with it—can become a shared standard that uplifts entire urban regions.
About the study
The rankings compile data from a reputable cross-city study on Africa’s most attractive cities, weighing cleanliness alongside other quality-of-life measures. The exact methodology blends objective metrics with resident sentiment to present a holistic view of urban desirability across the continent.
