Given the state of local government, lessons from the public sector to the private sector may raise some eyebrows but we are referring to about thirty-four municipalities which achieved clean audits from the Auditor General and rate highly when it comes to service delivery.
1. Long-term sustainability.
Typically, the private sector pursues shorter term objectives favouring profit and speed whereas the public sector pursues a more strategic and systematic approach centred on long-term vision and sustainability.
“The public sector faces several hurdles before implementing a project, some of it due to overregulation. This creates the tag of being slow. However, when the path is cleared, they move quickly and decisively. There are some remarkable success stories which seldom make the headlines”.
2. Relationship development.
The public sector is complex, and successful municipalities are adept at navigating challenges through stakeholder relationships. Often, success hinges on the ability to influence rather than having direct control.
“The test of leadership is being able to influence others and make things happen even though you don’t have absolute control of the dynamics. It’s the difference between leadership and management”.
3. Social impact.
The private sector can learn from the public sector’s commitment to social responsibility and consider principles such as equity and accessibility.
“It’s not entirely about social impact as such but it’s about truly being in tune with your community’s needs. Apart from understanding basic needs, the private sector can engage more deliberately with local government to work together on pressing concerns such as financial literacy, job creation, and promoting SMEs among others.
“Overall, the public sector can learn from the private sector and vice versa. Increasingly, we see the sectors working closer together, particularly as local government starts to think wider and to find alternative ways to address significant challenges. The fortunes of two seemingly opposite worlds are intertwined”.
Nico de Kock
MD Mubesko Africa
Mubesko.co.za
Established in 2007, Mubesko Africa consults to some of South Africa’s top performing municipalities and offers financial management services, asset accounting and modelling, and forensic investigations.