The highest-paid city manager in 2023/24 was in Ekurhuleni, with a remuneration package of R4.57-million. Cape Town’s city manager followed closely at R4.49-million, while eThekwini and Johannesburg paid R3.84-million and R3.36-million respectively.

City managers typically out-earn mayors. In Johannesburg, for example, the mayor earned R1.58-million – nearly half of what the city manager received.

Mangaung’s city manager earned significantly less, but only because he took office on 1 November 2023 and did not serve the full financial year.

Why the high salaries? City managers are effectively the chief executives of municipalities. They are responsible for implementing policies, managing service delivery, and ensuring that local governments comply with legislation – making them key to a city’s performance.