What Officials, Experts, and Key Figures Are Saying About Duplicate Image Replacement

The City of Johannesburg has announced plans to tackle the issue of duplicate image replacement, a problem that has been plaguing the city's digital archives for years. According to officials, the city's digital repository contains thousands of duplicate images, taking up valuable storage space and making it difficult for residents to access important information.

The issue of duplicate image replacement matters now because the city is in the process of upgrading its digital infrastructure, including the rollout of a new online platform for residents to access municipal services. With the city's population projected to grow by 10% over the next five years, it is essential that the city's digital systems are efficient and effective. The duplicate image replacement problem is not only a technical issue but also a financial one, as the city spends millions of rands each year on digital storage and maintenance.

In Johannesburg, the issue of duplicate image replacement is being felt in areas such as Sandton, where the city's financial district is located, and Soweto, where the city's heritage and cultural economy are thriving. The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in the city, has been working with the city to develop a plan to tackle the issue. The foundation's CEO, who has been working closely with city officials, has identified the Nelson Mandela National Museum in Soweto and the Johannesburg Art Gallery in Joubert Park as two key locations where the city's digital archives are being used to promote the city's cultural heritage.

Understanding the Scope of the Problem

According to data from the City of Johannesburg's IT department, the city's digital repository contains over 100,000 duplicate images, taking up over 10 terabytes of storage space. The city spends around R5 million each year on digital storage and maintenance, with a significant portion of this budget going towards storing and managing duplicate images. Since the beginning of 2026, the city has implemented a number of measures to reduce the number of duplicate images, including the introduction of new software to detect and remove duplicates. As of June 2026, the city has removed over 20,000 duplicate images from its digital repository, freeing up over 2 terabytes of storage space.

So what happens next? According to city officials, the next step is to implement a new digital asset management system, which will help to prevent duplicate images from being uploaded to the city's digital repository in the future. The city is also working with local organisations, such as the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Computer Science, to develop new technologies to detect and remove duplicate images. Residents can also play a role in helping to tackle the issue by reporting any duplicate images they find on the city's website or social media channels. By working together, the city can ensure that its digital archives are efficient, effective, and easy to use, and that residents have access to the information they need to thrive in the city.