Public-Private Partnerships: much more than a contract.

Abstract

This research examines the effectiveness presented by Public-Private Partnerships as a mechanism to promoting growth and building capacity in South Africa, at both the national and local level. It is concerned with exploring the broader benefits of publicprivate partnerships outside the range of technical and financial contributions and investigates the extent of capacity building that is necessary to bring about stronger more sustainable partnerships. Comparison is undertaken by means of analyses of primary and secondary data to determine international trends and best practice in the adoption of the public-private partnership approach. A series of key informant interviews will assist determine the effectiveness and benefits presented by public-private partnerships through the perceptions of key players and policy makers at policy level and implementation level. Different case experiences will also be used determine the existing experiences of publicprivate partnerships and to establish a way forward for future public-private partnerships. It can be concluded that despite the infrastructure and service delivery backlogs and the crisis faced by most governments in the developing world, most world local governments are looking to decentralization as an option to promote sustainable development. As part of this process local governments have been found to seek solutions in partnering with the private sector to effect more efficient service delivery solutions to the communities served. Public-Private partnerships present a very good policy tool which can create many positive benefits if managed and structured correctly. For Public-Private Partnerships to succeed there has to be high levels of commitment from all stakeholders, and the process must be effected in a participatory and consultative manner to ensure that such partnerships are sustainable and beneficial towards promoting growth.