Do the job that voters mandated you to do - Business message to politicians

Political parties must start with the real work now - prioritise stable local government that will enhance capacity‚ infrastructure and services‚ says Business Leadership South Africa.

As coalition negotiations continue to resolve who will lead councils including Johannesburg and Tshwane‚ the organisation praised the process as result of municipal elections as "testimony to the growing maturity and entrenchment of our democratic state and ideals".

"To underpin this‚ it is now important that political parties act with maturity to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the country’s economic hubs."

Business Leadership SA said it was concerned that in the metropolitan areas where there is no outright winner‚ "we could face a long period of instability and fragile administration if the coalitions forged by the leading parties prove to be unworkable".

"Given the challenges of a low growth trajectory for the South African economy‚ we cannot afford to have unstable and indecisive local government in these major centres‚ which require strong leadership‚ management and governance of the highest order."

Little will be achieved by dwelling on party gains or losses‚ the organisation said. "The people have spoken and it is now incumbent on their elected leaders to set aside party political interests in pursuit of those common objectives that advance the well-being and functioning of the constituencies they serve.

Business Leadership SA called on the political parties and their leaders‚ especially the dominant two in the metros‚ to focus on effective and stable local government that will enhance capacity‚ infrastructure and services‚ and to stimulate investment and job creation.

"...We cannot afford any setbacks in these metros – South Africa’s major engines of growth and employment."