Developing Enterprising Cities in South Africa

Abstract

Cities are considered as engines of economic growth. Enterprising activities in the cities have emerged as the backbone of the economy of cities across the globe. Efforts have been made in many countries to build or transform cities to reinforce entrepreneurship and in the process develop enterprising cities. In the wake of arguments for building enterprising cities in South Africa, this study examined the dimensions of enterprising cities, the status of cities in terms of entrepreneurial attributes and strategies essential for building enterprising cities in South Africa. A Delphi research method was adopted for the study. The study revealed that enterprising cities have distinct dimensions such as economic land scape (Industrial and service activities), entrepreneurial friendly policy, smart infrastructure (both transportation and communication), capacity to attract investment, international embeddedness, research and development and innovation, smart technology, enabled quality communication, and distinct economic image. The South African cities currently do not portray distinct images of entrepreneurial cities at both regional or global level. The paper argues that a combination of strategies for reinforcing economic and social and spatial related entrepreneurial attributes in addition to the strengthening of entrepreneurship policy for creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem will assist in creating enterprising cities in South Africa in which tourists as well as locals can find value.