South African business leaders have been in talks with the government about whether they can play a role in reviving Johannesburg, the nation’s largest and wealthiest city.

The discussions are being led by Business for South Africa (B4SA), a coalition of executives already working with the government to address national challenges such as logistics, electricity supply, crime, and youth unemployment.

The group said it will evaluate whether it can also direct resources toward stabilizing Johannesburg, Bloomberg reported.

“There’s such a vast interest in the city as an economic hub, to see it decline is very, very problematic,” said Adrian Gore, chief executive officer of Discovery, the country’s biggest health insurer, during a virtual briefing on Thursday.

“This initiative in the partnership is specifically about execution, not policy making.”

Johannesburg, home to around five million people, generates about 16% of South Africa’s gross domestic product. It houses the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and many of the country’s most prominent firms, including Discovery.

But deteriorating infrastructure, from water systems and electricity supply to roads, has made the city a political flashpoint and a symbol of the instability linked to South Africa’s fragile coalition governments.

“There’s low-hanging fruit. We think there’s a lot of expertise, there’s a lot of involvement in the city anyway from business,” Gore added.

“Can it be organised and structured in a way that’s constructive? We think that needs to be investigated.”

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Since the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in the city in 2016, Johannesburg has had 10 mayors.

Today, residents in suburbs and townships regularly endure water and electricity outages that spark widespread protests.

The city is now governed by an ANC-led coalition, while the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest party both nationally and in Johannesburg’s council, is campaigning to reclaim control in next year’s local elections by highlighting the city’s dysfunction.

President Cyril Ramaphosa in March voiced disappointment at Johannesburg’s state, a concern underscored by the city’s role as host of several Group of 20 meetings this year, including the leaders’ summit in November.

“We’ve identified CEOs who are appropriate and committed to lead that process,” said Martin Kingston, chairman of B4SA’s steering committee and head of Rothschild & Co’s South African unit.

He noted that a decision on whether business will formally step in could be taken in November.

In other national initiatives, business has already provided funding and seconded staff to strengthen the capacity of government departments.

Kingston emphasized, however, that any involvement in Johannesburg would steer clear of political interference. “We are not going to become involved in the politics,” he said.

“That we’ve made that clear at all levels of government, including at national but also at a provincial level.”

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