OPINION| Municipal collapse costs billions, but new collaboration offers hope – Mavuso

By Busi Mavuso

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. Water and local electricity outages create chaos and directly affect economic output.

Recent estimates suggest that municipal service failures cost the South African economy billions annually, with small businesses 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, which is exactly what happened when I sat down alongside the Association of South African Chambers (ASAC) from the main metros with Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, last week to discuss the lack of performance of local government.

And I must say that I found the minister’s approach refreshing and encouraging. The minister fully