Blessing M Modiba. Remember the topic for your "High School Debate Initiative" around Government must incentivize private investment in underserved areas? Sandton and Alexandra are the epitome of spatial disparities in South Africa that could necessitate the government to consider incentivizing private investment spending in marginalized areas. Despite their geographical proximity, there still exists a huge gap in economic prosperity, crime & socio-economic conditions; and infrastructure development between Sandton and Alexandra. Most of the spatial disparities in South Africa are a result of the apartheid system, however, different government administrations have come in and out since the dawn of democracy with promises to address this injustice but to date, little has been done to see this desired reality come into being. Questions to ponder: What is the real cause of the slow progress if any, we have seen in addressing this? Should the government start to seriously consider PPPs for this cause? If so, to what extent should private investment be involved beyond tendering and what would this PPP look like? Maybe furthermore, is SA ready for a smart city if it cannot solve its relatively less complex current spatial disparities problems?
