Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has committed to engaging with some of the country’s large municipalities over the next two months to discuss how their performance can be improved.

During these engagements, the interventions required, deadlines and monitoring mechanisms will be agreed upon.

After agreeing on interventions, the stakeholders will then discuss how government and business can collaborate to support municipal performance improvements, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso said in her weekly newsletter on July 28.

Hlabisa met with members of the BLSA, the Association of South African Chambers (ASAC) of the major metropolitan areas and related business chambers to discuss municipal performance challenges during the week of July 21 to 27.

During this meeting, Hlabisa demonstrated a refreshing openness to collaboration and a realistic understanding of issues like skills shortages and infrastructure decay during the meeting, Mavuso reported.

Further, Hlabisa also said that, unless South Africa creates a conducive environment for businesses and residents with reliable services, inequality will continue to grow in its communities, she said.

“The performance of municipalities, particularly the metros, is a serious concern for business. Businesses rely on effective service provision in order to operate, as well as for employees and customers to be able to function,” Mavuso said.

Water and local electricity outages create chaos and directly affect economic output. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to extended power and water cuts that can force temporary closures and drive away customers.

“This crisis demands urgent collaboration between government and business,” she noted.

“The Minister grasps the issues that are plaguing the performance of municipalities, from skills shortages to fraying infrastructure and has developed realistic plans for municipal reform. During the meeting, he was open to discussion and hearing ideas from business on what can be done,” she added.

The Minister is working with political parties to elevate the importance of selecting mayors in municipalities, as this is a critical point of influence on performance. The appointment of suitable officials, including mayors, city managers and CFOs, is key to building professionalism and competence in local government, Mavuso reported.

Further, Hlabisa has plans to meet with all political parties to discuss how mayors are selected and to support them in identifying the right qualities for suitable mayors.

The department has developed a White Paper to fix issues within local government, and the Minister called on business and other stakeholders to give input into the paper, she noted.

Hlabisa also advocated for learning from the best-performing municipalities and adopting best practices widely, she said.

“I found the engagement [with the Minister] to be productive and invigorating. The Government of National Unity continues to prove that it is committed to co-creating solutions with business.

“I look forward to working more with the Minister and his team to improve municipal performance,” said Mavuso.