Apart from pockets of excellence, given the state of local government conversations centre around greater collaboration between the public and private sectors. The innovative and visionary municipalities have gone beyond conversations and are actively securing strong partnerships with the private sector.
Given the reliance of the private sector on local government to provide infrastructure and utilities; a regulatory enabled environment; safety and stability, and a digital infrastructure, greater collaboration must occur.
Yet the public service and private sectors have different mindsets. Can this be bridged?
Historically, a functioning municipality is driven by governance, stability and service delivery, whereas the private sector favours competition, innovation, and profit.
The two worlds are poles apart but imagine the outcome if the traits of each could be intertwined into one common goal?
Are the top municipalities that far off the pace in transitioning to a private sector mindset? Again, we have prefixed the word “top” to municipalities. We don’t think so.
Many are looking at innovative solutions to sustain infrastructural development and finding ways to attract alternative funding. They have also become more competitive, eyeing the investment and semigration markets.
For South Africa to succeed, the gap between the private and public sectors must narrow; and they must look beyond obvious differences to fuel economic growth and service delivery.
Nico de Kock
Mubesko Africa
mubesko.co.za
Mubesko Africa operates in the private and public sector, offering financial accounting and management support, asset accounting and modelling, and forensic investigation services.