As South Africa edges closer to another round of local government elections, the familiar campaign promises are already beginning to dominate the political landscape. Parties will once again pledge to fix roads, restore basic services, create jobs and stimulate local economies. Yet despite these
commitments, many municipalities continue to battle financial distress, failing infrastructure, high unemployment and declining investor confidence. The question many South Africans are asking is whether the country needs a different kind of leadership—one that includes not only politicians, but
also the entrepreneurs and business leaders who create jobs and keep local economies alive.
The newly established South African Entrepreneurs Movement believes that for too long, those who build businesses have been excluded from the decisions that shape the economy. The movement argues that entrepreneurs—from township business owners and informal traders to industrialists and professionals—should have a direct voice in government policy and leadership. It is calling for qualified business leaders to occupy key positions in municipalities, state-owned entities
and government, while advocating for a permanent partnership between entrepreneurs and the state. As South Africa prepares to choose its next generation of local leaders, we ask whether
entrepreneurship could become one of the defining political forces in rebuilding municipalities and driving economic growth. Joining us this evening is Rali Mampeule, founder of the South African Entrepreneurs Movement.