Investigating water and electricity service delivery on South African economic transformation

Abstract

Reliable water and electricity service delivery is central to economic development and inclusive growth. In South Africa, persistent challenges in the provision of these basic services continue to constrain economic transformation and exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities. This study examines the relationship between water and electricity service delivery and South Africa’s economic transformation, with a particular focus on household perceptions, governance factors, and spatial disparities. The study uses secondary data from multiple rounds of the Afrobarometer survey, drawing on nationally representative household-level responses. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and ordered logistic regression models are employed to analyse service interruptions, levels of satisfaction with government handling of electricity and water services (measured through water and sanitation), and the role of governance-related factors such as government responsiveness, perceived corruption, and urban–rural location. The findings indicate that frequent interruptions in water and electricity services are associated with lower satisfaction levels and adverse socioeconomic outcomes, particularly in rural areas and historically disadvantaged provinces. Perceived government responsiveness is a significant and consistent determinant of citizen satisfaction, while direct contact with government officials has a weaker influence. The results also reveal a complex and counterintuitive relationship between perceived corruption and satisfaction with service delivery, suggesting the normalisation of governance challenges or reliance on informal mechanisms to access services. Substantial provincial disparities further highlight the uneven nature of service delivery across South Africa. The study concludes that water and electricity service delivery challenges are deeply rooted in governance and institutional factors rather than purely technical constraints. While the analysis is limited by its reliance on perception-based, cross-sectional survey data and the use of water and sanitation as a proxy for water service delivery, the findings provide important policyrelevant insights for strengthening service delivery and supporting inclusive economic transformation in South Africa.