Releasing their “people’s guide” to their State of City Finances report, the SA Cities Network said the key focus was the impact on consumers of increased electricity and water tariffs, especially in the context of an economic environment of all-round rising costs.
Cities need to be sustainably financed to meet the National Development Plan objectives and the sustainable development goals; and Expenditure is broken into two parts: operating expenditure, ie money spent on services such as electricity and water and employee-related costs, and repair and maintenance of infrastructure.
Kelebogile Khunou of the Socio-economic Rights Institute of South Africa said that “where you live geographically affects your access to employment, as well as basic services”. Fred Kusambiza of Planact said that one of the NGO’s primary mandates is “linking previously marginalised citizens to economic opportunity” and that could only be achieved through “community participation in local governance”.