Critically discuss the major challenges in the effective delivery of Basic services including Infrastructure by local government in South Africa. Give examples
Analysis on the perceived occurrence of challenges delaying the delivery of water infrastructure assets in South Africa Introduction Infrastructure development is of paramount importance for a sustainable economy that is competitive and productive. However, inflexible government's fiscal policies, high budget deficits and lack of debt reduction strategies experienced by the public sector directly affect infrastructure development (Ruiters and Matji, 2015). The public sector experiences challenges of provisioning for public infrastructure assets. There are many challenges delaying infrastructure development. The study explored infrastructure backlog and deficits as alarming challenges to adequately fund and deliver water infrastructure assets in South Africa. Kudumela (2015) outlines challenges of infrastructure development: insufficient skills capacity at the municipal level, lack of funding, political instability and corruption, while Senyakoe (2011) indicates that municipalities across South Africa experience difficulties towards sectoral infrastructure planning and project and programme management. Given the broad spectrum of different forms of existing infrastructure, the study robustly dissected water infrastructure. Water is a pivotal commodity for the well-being of the public, irrigation, mining, hydropower, commercial and industrial use (Malawi Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development, 2005). In South Africa, to ensure that water is regulated and safely delivered to the required destination, the following institutions are involved: the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), water boards (for each province), municipalities (water service authorities) and special-purpose vehicles (Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority and Komati Basin Water Authority) (Moseki et al., 2011; Ruiters, 2011). The public sector is responsible for the development and sustainability of water infrastructure in South Africa and fo ensuring that communities across the country receive adequate service delivery, and this can only occur if the infrastructure required exists and in good condition. Failure to comply, communities where such services are of paramount importance t the daily operations of local businesses will experience production difficulties, and households solely dependent on th products and services of the businesses will be heavily affected. As a result, the study envisaged prior to determinin challenges delaying water infrastructure assets to also determine the perceived or rapid occurrence of infrastructu challenges. This will then assist public institutions in collaboration with the private sector to develop strategies that prioritise the challenges according to their impact and sought solutions. Rest of the paper is available on
