‘Mighty Mike’ still holds sway
ment is. And often you need advice on the decisions you need to make. This is one area we thought we could contribute to building up a cadre of young professionals in cities,” said Sutcliffe.
“The second area in which we thought we could offer services was broader strategic management and planning, doing research and offering advice, assisting with policy and other issues.”
Sutcliffe and Bannister were the lead researchers from Africa in an international study that dealt with the delivery of basic services in cities around the globe. Their work required extensive travel.
Commissioned by United Cities and Local Government, a global network, the study was concluded last year and the results released at the body’s Morocco congress in October.
“We wrote the African section for the book, which was published recently. It looked at how governments were delivering basic services. We were part of an international team, which meant we could see their issues against ours. The functions and powers might be distributed differently, but there are many commonalities.”
Sutcliffe said skills shortages were an issue Africa shared with many parts of the world.
“Funding is also a big issue worldwide. So is dealing with the issue of the poor, as well as environmental sustainability and the impact of climate change.”
He said South Africa had much to be proud of.
“We really stand out, not just in African terms, but in world terms, with what local governments have achieved, what major cities in South Africa have achieved, certainly over the last 15 years.
“Even though local government is highly contested terrain, I think we must be proud of what has been produced collectively in South Africa.”
Sutcliffe took part in another project involving a peer review of African cities, in which management teams visited Durban and exchanged ideas.
He said many cities faced similar challenges to those Durban endured during his decade-long tenure at the helm and he was able to apply lessons learnt while consulting.
“Sometimes, when you’re on the outside, you are able to see things differently and when you intervene, you do so in a non-threatening way because neither of us wants to be a city manager or mayor. So you can be honest without upsetting people.”
Sutcliffe said he was fortunate his serv- ices were in demand as he initially had gone through a period of about six months battling to find work after his tenure as city manager.
“I think your first period involves a lot of knocking on doors, applying for tenders, going through that process. It took us six to eight months of that, keeping your head above water. Then you get to the point where you work out your niche and people start to see what contribution you can make.”
Sutcliffe said he was selective about the projects his firm took on.
“Whatever we do, we hope to add value for those we deal with. We don’t want to become an organisation where our sole objective is to find tenders and make a lot of money. We try to do work we enjoy, with people we enjoy working with.”
Sutcliffe said he had not been approached to advise the leadership of Durban and would prefer not to do so.
“The worst thing is to come out of a place and then go tell them what to do.”
But he remained emotionally invested in the city. “Looking from the outside, you can reflect because you’re seeing it from a different angle. It’s nice not to have the responsibility, though.”
Sutcliffe said he generally avoided expressing his personal views on the way Durban is administered, but believed the city had a lot of potential.
In a column in a local newspaper last week, however, Sutcliffe and Bannister raised concerns about the city splurging on pricey international events. The bid for the Commonwealth Games motivated the column.
“We’re not involved in the politics. We think a lot more objectively now and we said the mayor should look carefully at these events. You have to be careful about what you do because the expense of the Commonwealth Games is a waste. We’re saying: think of your development strategy first, what you’re trying to achieve, before signing any deals.”
He said paying money to secure certain events was not always a good idea; the city should only support events that bring value and visitors.
“We need to evaluate what works and what doesn’t.”
Sutcliffe said he did not miss being involved in city politics. “We were very fortunate in the time we were with the city – there were great national issues and events like the World Cup, but I certainly don’t miss it.
“That was a particular time in my life. I’m far too comfortable to be a city manager anymore.”
He said he had a better quality of life now and enjoyed spending his free time cycling on Durban’s beachfront, an activity he does at least four times a week.
While out in public he is still often recognised by residents who stop him to chat.
“The irony is that they stop you and tell you ‘I hated you for those street names’, but then they give you a long list of things they liked you for.”
He is now working on his memoirs.