MUNICIPAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: AN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGY TO PROMOTE, IMPROVE AND SUSTAIN SERVICE DELIVERY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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Abstract

Three hypotheses justify service delivery crisis in South Africa. Post-apartheid laws and strategies don’t enable service delivery in local governments. Secondly, there is detachment between laws and strategies and leadership for their implementation. The government does not also promote entrepreneurship in local governments preventing innovation, creativity and competitiveness thus hindering service delivery. This paper supports municipal entrepreneurship as an ideal strategy to facilitate service delivery in local governments through three main considerations. Firstly, laws and strategies developed to facilitate service delivery should be implemented by competent municipal entrepreneurs. Innovation, creativity and competitiveness should be emphasised as the golden rule in managing local governments. Importantly, Citizen Charters should complement municipal entrepreneurship to facilitate standardised service delivery systems that meet people’s expectations.

Keywords: Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Local government, Service delivery, South Africa

How to cite this paper: Mbecke, P. (2015). Municipal entrepreneurship: An alternative strategy to promote, improve and sustain service delivery in local governments in South Africa. Corporate Ownership & Control, 12(3-4), 409-418. https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv12i3c4p2