President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis are locked in a fierce debate over which metro truly exemplifies good governance in South Africa. The spat ignited after Ramaphosa initially suggested that ANC councillors should learn from DA-run municipalities like Cape Town, a statement that caused significant uproar within his own party.
Now, Ramaphosa appears to be backpedaling, arguing that while Cape Town performs well in financial governance, it has failed to adequately address inequality and provide sufficient services to its disadvantaged communities. He highlighted census data indicating that Cape Town showed the worst progress between 2011 and 2022 in serving its townships.
Ramaphosa pointed to Soweto's upgrade in Johannesburg as an example of progress, suggesting Cape Town's townships haven't received the same level of attention. He also acknowledged the pressure South African cities face due to increasing populations and the strain on service delivery.
Hill-Lewis Fires Back
Mayor Hill-Lewis has vehemently defended Cape Town's record, asserting that the city spends more on pro-poor infrastructure than any other metro's total capital budget. He maintains that Cape Town provides the highest levels of access to reliable service delivery.
Hill-Lewis dismissed Ramaphosa's criticism as damage control after the president's earlier praise of DA-governed municipalities. He stated, "Where his party governs, there is only decay, corruption and collapsed services. That is the sea of ruin and failure that he presides over."
The Underlying Issues
This public disagreement highlights the ongoing debate about service delivery, inequality, and governance in South Africa's major cities. The influx of people into urban areas puts immense pressure on existing infrastructure and resources, leading to challenges in providing adequate services to all communities.
- Ramaphosa claims Cape Town hasn't reduced inequality.
- Hill-Lewis says Cape Town invests heavily in pro-poor infrastructure.
- Both acknowledge the strain on service delivery due to population growth.
The clash between Ramaphosa and Hill-Lewis underscores the political tensions surrounding these issues and the contrasting approaches to addressing them.