Service Delivery Research Report _09 May 2025

Service delivery has been central to South Africa’s democratic agenda since 1994. The outcomes of the May 2024 national and provincial elections have indicated that it remains important, less as a promise and more as a source of public frustration. The rise of service delivery protests has highlighted failures in providing basic needs such as jobs, housing, water, sanitation, electricity, roads, and transport, issues directly tied to human dignity. Unlike digital access, which is increasingly regarded as a modern right, these protests reflect more immediate and foundational concerns. South Africans, especially those in townships and rural municipalities, are not demanding luxury; they are seeking access to essential services. It is important to understand the base of this frustration in a country, considered as middle-income but consistently ranked as the economically most unequal country in the world, a status confirmed by multiple reports, including the World Bank's "Inequality in Southern Africa" study, which indicates that the wealthiest top 10% of South Africans control 80.6% of the nation's financial assets. This research report underscores a pressing reality: service delivery inequalities in South Africa continue to undermine our efforts toward social justice and sustainable development. Despite progressive policies and initiatives, vast disparities persist across regions, communities, and socio-economic groups, denying many South Africans access to basic services such as clean water, healthcare, education, and adequate housing. These inequalities not only perpetuate cycles of poverty and marginalisation but also threaten social cohesion and democratic stability. Addressing these gaps requires unwavering commitment, evidence-based interventions, and innovative approaches. This report aims to illuminate the roots of these disparities to foster informed dialogue and actionable solutions to build a more equitable and inclusive South Africa. This research offers valuable insights into the critical connection between service delivery and the policies and legislation governing local municipalities in South Africa. By examining the alignment, or lack thereof, between the mandate of local government and the broader national development agenda, this study helps to enhance the sense of responsibility and ownership among both government officials and the recipients of basic services.