Local Government – what does the impending marriage of inconvenience mean for business?

With more than half of the votes counted, the outcome of the municipal elections has is shaping up, with the ANC projected to suffer losses across South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities. The metros differ substantially from the remaining 256 municipalities in terms of their sheer size, resources and economic activity. They are home to almost 40% of the population, generate roughly 56% of national GDP, and spend 59.3 per cent of local government revenues. In recognition of their unique needs, metropolitan areas are governed by integrated single-tier municipalities, while the rest of the country is governed by a two-tier system of local and district municipalities. The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has acknowledged the elections to have had the lowest voter turnout.

What does this local government election mean for business?

To find out let’s welcome our analysts: Richard Calland, associate professor in public law at the University of Cape Town and a founding partner of the Paternoster Group. Moeletsi Mbeki, political analyst and author most recently of Manifesto for Social Change, how to save SA