To do or not to do: Experiences from the application of social franchising principles for water services O&M in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

Studies have found that the concept of social franchising partnerships for the routine maintenance of infrastructure could alleviate and address many challenges in the management of water services. At the same time, these partnerships would provide an ideal stimulus to support the development of local enterprises, SMME and BEE, all within the public sector service delivery environment. This was reported upon at the 2008 and 2010 WISA conferences. A pilot project has since 2009 been under way in the Eastern Cape. This provides selected infrastructure maintenance services to approximately 400 schools in the Butterworth district. Irish Aid is providing funding for concept development, but the franchisees are paid from the normal Department of Education (DoE) schools operation and maintenance budgets. Despite difficulties arising directly from DoE inefficiencies, the pilot project is proving the value of social franchising partnerships for this kind of work. Municipalities in the region are interested, and are taking the first steps to adopt the concept where appropriate.