Stakeholders Band Together In Turnaround Effort

Gauteng continues to attract significant local and international interest, but persistent infrastructure challenges are eroding business confidence. To tackle these issues, the public and private sectors are joining forces in a collaborative effort that has garnered broad support across the province. It is vital that we work together business, government and communities to address these challenges and turn the situation around. Only through collective action can we restore confidence and unlock Gautengs full potential, said Bernadette Zeiler, CEO of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry JCCI. Johannesburg, in particular, has been buckling under the strain of an infrastructure crisis, with deteriorating water, electricity and road systems. The situation reached a tipping point earlier this year, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene. Describing the citys infrastructure as archaic, Ramaphosa established the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group to lead efforts to rebuild and rejuvenate the city. The working group brings together all levels of government, alongside the expertise of various stakeholders and the private sector, to accelerate service delivery, stabilise the citys finances and operations, and drive economic growth and job creation. Speaking to Freight News, Zeiler emphasised the active role business played in Gautengs rejuvenation and within the working group. The JCCI has been deeply involved in several workstreams since the groups inception in March. We are collaborating closely with government to tackle some of the citys most pressing challenges. She added that resolving Johannesburgs infrastructure issues was critical, not only for the province but for the countrys economy as a whole, given that the metro contributes approximately 16 of South Africas gross domestic product. The JCCI has also signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the South African Property Owners Association Sapoa to work together in resolving some of the challenges that affect both business and commercial property owners, particularly Gautengs water infrastructure issues. The ongoing deterioration of infrastructure particularly at municipal level continues to place significant strain on businesses, which are increasingly forced to find alternative solutions at added operational cost. According to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs CoGTA, efforts are being fast-tracked to address the provinces infrastructure challenges. A dedicated team of engineers, artisans, inspectors and planners has been deployed to assess more than 4 000 public buildings and assets in order to identify urgent issues and prioritise critical repairs. Businesses are very positive about the developments theyve seen so far and the clear commitment to address the infrastructure crisis, said Zeiler. But we must continue creating a conducive environment for growth by working together to address the challenges. LV