One of the government`s primary objectives has been to deliver high-quality basic services to historically under-serviced areas. Another major aim is to ensure greater racial diversity in both government and the private business community.

Public and private partnerships (PPPs) have been seen as useful in achieving both goals. PPPs are said to be about promoting efficient and competitive public service delivery. The theory is that such partnership operations can reach and service disadvantaged populations while minimising cost to the government – shifting risk to the private sector and enabling national, provincial and municipal governments to concentrate on their core missions.