Service delivery issues came under the spotlight when the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently hosted the annual Alumni and Friends Business Breakfast in partnership with the NWU’s bhive Business Enterprise Development Centre (EDC).
This year’s event was themed “Stabilising South Africa through fast-tracking service delivery”, and featured a panel discussion led by internal and external experts who spoke about service delivery issues.
With former Johannesburg mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse as the main guest speaker, the event also featured NWU experts such as Prof Leenta Grobler, associate professor for digitalisation and digital economies at the NWU Business School, Prof Kedebone Phago, director of the School of Governance, and lecturer Sysman Motloung who served as moderator.
The event brought together various stakeholders, including alumni, staff, students, community members, local businesses, and various government departments.
In her address, Dr Phalatse explored a range of current affairs issues, including corruption in the country and in the City of Johannesburg.
She also touched on the lack of ethical political leadership in the country and expressed her views on coalitions and how political interference was hindering service delivery.
“There is a need for legal reform to protect coalitions to create better stability. Too grow the economy, the government needs to attract investment, and this is hindered by load-shedding, crime and corruption. There is also a need to professionalise and depoliticise public service in this country,” she noted.
Dr Phalatse also cited what she called a “welfare trap” as a threat to the economy. “We have created a welfare system without an exit strategy. That is why we are failing as a state.”
In her address Prof Linda Du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, encouraged the continued support of NWU alumni initiatives. She said the alumni business breakfast event was a great opportunity for the university to boast the latest developments on the campus.
“It is important for us as an institution of higher learning to focus on quality, impact and relevance. The alumni are an important stakeholder group of the NWU and are our brand ambassadors. Through hosting events like this we form new networks, promote collaboration, and stimulate dialogue on key issues,” she added.
At the Alumni and Friends Business Breakfast from left are Clement Manoko, executive director for Corporate Relations and Marketing, Prof Linda Du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, Dr Mpho Phalatse, former Johannesburg mayor, and Prof Leenta Grobler, associate professor for digitalisation and digital economies at the NWU Business School.
