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Service Issue 78

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Service magazine addresses key issues related to government leadership and service delivery in South Africa. In this, Issue 78, November / December / January 2021/22, a range of topics are discussed that are highly relevant to all public and private sector stakeholders in the country.

S editor’s note Equal

S editor’s note Equal service for all The legacy of apartheid has left South Africa unequal in so many ways. It excluded a large part of our population from economic opportunities. Coupled with the slow economic growth of the past decade, not enough jobs have been created to absorb the unemployed and new entrants to the labour market. “We must acknowledge that inequality and privilege do exist in contemporary South Africa,” says Nelisiwe Masango, founder of Ubuntu Invest (page 6). “South Africa relies on a progressive tax system and social safety net to reduce inequality. But the rollercoaster of increased national debt means that government has had to reduce the scope of fiscal policy as a leveraging redistributive tool. This leaves much less available to divert funds to help solve the problems poor South Africans are facing. If government, however, shifted its collective mindset to become more responsive, the current situation would not be so hugely instrumental in perpetuating the problem,” Masango adds. Russell Rensburg, director of the Rural Health Advocacy Project, agrees that South Africa’s institutional frameworks prolong inequality, rather than address it. He says that publicly funded healthcare is not allocated based on need but is determined by each province’s relative share of the population. He believes that the country must find a way to make sure the availability of care is spread more evenly throughout the system and that we cannot look at the private and public sectors separately as one has an impact on the other. “South Africa’s healthcare system is inefficient – both public and private. The cost of healthcare is too high. In the long term, improving the quality of care in the public sector would balance out people’s need to have expensive medical insurance (page 32). Due to a relatively small payer base in South Africa, we have substantial revenue shortfalls, to the extent of R33-billion per annum just for water. Currently, there is insufficient cash in the system to afford the entire population water services. A culture of non-payment exacerbates the issue exponentially. The water sector needs money to maintain, operate and augment infrastructure. “The user-pays principle is key to reinstate water security, so all must pay, and the indigent population receive subsidies after paying something. I say this as currently there is insufficient cash in the system to afford the entire population water services. A thriving economy would reduce our indigent population – the highest in the world – but to thrive it needs revenue from all. All successful economies have all paying for water services at levels that all can afford. We cannot afford these inefficiencies and need to address them as part of kickstarting our economy,” says Benoît Le Roy, CEO of the South African Water Chamber (page 20). While everyone has the right to work, water and health, there is not equal enjoyment of these rights. “We cannot rely solely on legislation to solve the problem. We need a mindset shift. As a society, we can make a conscious choice to support and invest in small businesses that empower marginalised sections of the population,” Masango points out. In the case of Africa, SMEs represent approximately 80% of the economic activity on the continent. Nowadays, all that is needed to kickstart an entrepreneurial journey is data, a mobile device with a browser and social media. “We must acknowledge that inequality and privilege do exist in contemporary South Africa.” Which brings us to the new way of work. The hybrid model, in the simplest terms, can provide the best of both worlds; the flexibility to work at home and the freedom to have other priorities in life. There is no simple approach to effective hybrid working, but when the right model is in place, businesses have the potential to truly flourish. Our article on page 36 unpacks all aspects of the revolutionary hybrid way of work. Elsewhere, Limpopo is open for business (page 24) and don’t miss the next edition of Service, eThekwini Municipality works towards its vision of being Africa’s most caring and liveable city by 2030. Alexis Knipe Editor Editor: Alexis Knipe | Publishing director: Chris Whales | Managing director: Clive During | Online editor: Christoff Scholtz | Design: Simon Lewis Production: Aneeqah Solomon | Ad sales: Venesia Fowler, Tennyson Naidoo, Tahlia Wyngaard, Norman Robson and Vanessa Wallace Administration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg, Kathy Wootton | Distribution & circulation manager: Edward MacDonald | Printing: FA Print Service magazine is published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd | Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales | Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 | Postal: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za No portion of this book may be reproduced without written consent of the copyright owner. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Service magazine, nor the publisher, none of whom accept liability of any nature arising out of, or in connection with, the contents of this book. The publishers would like to express thanks to those who Support this publication by their submission of articles and with their advertising. All rights reserved. 2 | Service magazine

snippets S SERVE AND DELIVER THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION ASSEMBLY In an address at the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in December 2021, Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, noted that the South African delegation was pleased that the issue of equity in the manufacturing and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines was prioritised during the emergency item debate. This indicates that most countries are united in ending exclusivity and nationalisation of vaccines, Mapisa-Nqakula pointed out. The Speaker commended African parliaments for tabling an emergency item on equity in vaccine manufacturing during an Assembly plenary, which was fully supported by the rest of the world parliaments. The Speaker also expressed her pride in how the young delegation members spoke strongly on a wide range of issues, calling for parliaments across the globe to demonstrate practical and concrete action to resolve. This included the issues of women and youth representation to ensure fair and equitable representation of the world population in legislative bodies. “It is now time for the older generation to hand over the baton and allow young people to take over,” she said. The IPU, a global organisation of national parliaments, facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world. RAMAPHOSA HONOURS FW DE KLERK “Serving as Deputy President from 1994 to 1996, Mr de Klerk played an important role in the Government of National Unity, dedicating himself to the constitutional imperative of healing the divisions and conflict of our past. “Deputy President de Klerk’s passing, weeks before the 25th anniversary of our democratic Constitution, should inspire all of us to reflect on the birth of our democracy and on our shared duty to remain true to the values of our Constitution.” – President Ramaphosa on passing of Former State President FW de Klerk. The Former Deputy President passed away on 11 November 2021, after an extended period of illness. He was 85 years of age. SALGA UPSKILLING COUNCILLORS SALGA coordinates and delivers the Integrated Councillor Induction Programme (ICIP) in collaboration with a range of stakeholders within and outside of government. To be convened under the theme, “Enabling Ethical and Dynamic Political Leadership”, the purpose of the induction training is to entrench the culture of accountability and ethical conduct for the newlyelected councillors to build a capable developmental local government that is responsive to the people and communities. The virtual platform, known as the SALGA Leadership Village, will be introduced to the nation during the launch as a ground-breaking achievement that the organisation has put together to deliver its training programmes, generic and credit-bearing. NEW BOARD FOR NYDA President Ramaphosa appointed the new National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board designating Asanda Luwaca as chairperson and Karabo Mohale as deputy chairperson. Luwaca is the first female chairperson of the board, in line with the president’s commitment to advance women leadership at all levels. President Ramaphosa said: “I see the NYDA as a vital partner in the implementation of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Intervention and ensuring that young people are prioritised as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus. “The new board brings together a group of individuals with diverse expertise and experience in youth development. I have every confidence that they will ensure sound governance of the agency and will dedicate themselves to the critical task of building a better future for the youth of South Africa.” Service magazine | 3

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