Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
01 October 2024 | 09:38 a.m. SAST
1-minute read

Image: Tech Central

While South Africa’s economy has seen an improvement under the administration of the Government of National Unity (GNU), governance in some of the country’s metros has become increasingly unstable.

The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has raised concerns about the impact of constantly rearranging the leadership in the country’s major cities, with residents bearing the brunt when mayors are constantly replaced.

The removal of Cilliers Brink as the mayor of Tshwane after ActionSA exited the coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA) that governed the capital city for a year and a half is likely to have consequences for service delivery and governance.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, IRR analyst and writer Marius Roodt pointed out that the latest audit showed Tshwane as the metro with the most improved financial position- progress that might now be lost.

With 42% of South Africans living in one of its 8 metros- which, when combined, accounts for 60% of the country’s total GDP- governance of the country’s cities are of paramount importance.

“Cities are really the engine rooms of South Africa’s economy. That’s a general phenomenon around the world. Cities are very important in a country’s economic development and to fight poverty and so on,” Roodt said.

The instability has implications for the sustainability of the country’s democracy, with citizens losing trust in the system and thus disengaging from the electoral process.

The IRR calls for improved governance in South Africa’s cities to avoid urban decay, promote growth and development, and derive maximum benefit.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Muallima Annisa Essack.