Reimagining local government service delivery through the quadruple helix

An effective service delivery praxis is an embedded requirement of public policy frameworks.The current service delivery failures, particularly at the local government level, have exposed public policy shortcomings and disrupted livelihoods in South Africa.At the core of an evidence-based policy-enabled service delivery regimen is a 'better life for all'.At a local government level, the integrated development plan of municipalities directs this 'better life' through service delivery priorities.By interrogating the service delivery and quadruple helix nexus, we provide future pathways to reimagine the country's local government service delivery praxis to achieve transformative aspirations and development futures. Framing the quadruple helixRegarded as an extension of the triple helix, which has widely been studied as an effective partnership model between academia, government and industry, the quadruple helix emphasises a fourth stakeholder to enhance innovative end-user service delivery experiences and collaboration. 1 The quadruple helix adds civic society to the three helices mentioned above to augment relational networks and advocacy for service delivery implementation.In the context of this Commentary, the quadruple helix encompasses the civic sector, industry, the public sector, and academia.In our local democracy, these stakeholders are central to keeping local government accountable regarding their legislative mandate.More recently, the accountability role of these stakeholders has expanded to co-producing services, finding alternative solutions to service delivery challenges, and taking responsibility for the self-delivery of public services.A quadruple helix creates a service delivery ecology embedded in effectively disseminating capacity, skills, expertise, and resources to address local government service delivery challenges to enhance service delivery.A quadruple helix is, therefore, suggested as an inclusive, dynamic and intertwined service delivery approach at the local government level.