Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso emphasizes that Johannesburg's economic vitality is crucial for South Africa's overall growth, as the city houses approximately 70% of the nation's head offices and contributes significantly to national GDP. Business is prepared to partner with the city government to address its decline, offering expertise, talent, and potentially capital. Mavuso stresses the necessity of a "credible, committed counterparty" in the city government, which requires openness to scrutiny, interrogation, and intervention in its systems and processes. She draws parallels to successful partnerships with Eskom and Transnet through Necom and NLCC, where clear structures and accountability led to improvements. Mavuso argues that Johannesburg's decline is a long-term issue, not solely attributable to the current administration, but criticizes Mayor Dada Morero's self-assessment of performance. She advocates for municipal reforms to enhance accountability, particularly concerning the misallocation of funds for water services. Mavuso points to alarming data on the city's financial health, including a high operating to capital expenditure ratio and significantly low spending on repairs and maintenance, indicating severe underinvestment. Visible progress in critical areas like roads, electricity, and water is achievable within a year, according to Mavuso, to rebuild confidence. She expresses disappointment with the Cabinet's stance on a section 139 intervention and highlights the lack of responsiveness from Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Ultimately, Mavuso calls for a mayor with management experience, leadership capability, merit, and a genuine commitment to the city's turnaround.