This paper is to first discuss the nature of public-private partnership. Secondly, the governance of PPPs with specific reference to the types and management of risks is discussed. The view is that the success of PPPs projects is determined by various factors that [some] are unpredictable. The argument is that “at the heart of the PPPs approach is the concept that better value for money can be achieved through the utilisation of private sector enterprise due to the enhanced scope for innovation and by allocating the risk to the party best able to manage it” (Ireland’s Department of Public-private partnerships 2001:4). In addition, the parties in partnerships may have little control over the influence of the external environments, which contributes to unfavourable outcomes (Charoenpornpattana and Minato (1999:433). Furthermore, an investigation into whether there is [are] any regime[s] responsible to provide resources, enforce contracts, and service standards to enable metropolitan governments to be efficient, effective, and economical in designing, managing and exercising control over PPPs ventures will be undertaken

Mr Binza is the Director of the Raymond Mhlaba Institute of Public Administration and Leadership, and full time lecturer in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Port Elizabeth, specializing in Public Management. He completed his tertiary education at the Port Elizabeth Technikon where he obtained his M-Tech degree in Public Management 2001 with a dissertation entitled "An evaluation of policies for attaining excellence in service delivery in the Port Elizabeth Municipality". He is currently conducting his research for a Doctoral degree at the University of Port Elizabeth. His field of research is the South African developmental metropolitan government, specifically focusing on developing a public-private partnership model to improve local economic development. His research areas are: privatisation or the liberalisation of public goods and services; local economic development; and social capital and social movements in public policy and governance. He has teaching experience at under- and postgraduate levels. He teaches Administration for Development, Local and Regional Resources Management, Public Policy and Procedures at undergraduate level and Advanced Public Administration, Advanced Personnel Administration and bridging courses in Public Management to MPA and M Phil learners. He is an external moderator for Eastern Cape Technikon. He has published papers in local newspapers. He has presented a number of scientific papers to international and national conferences. He serves as Secretary for the Eastern Cape Chapter of the South African Public Administration and Management Association (SAAPAM-EC). He has organised and provided training workshops for public officials in the eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. He has provided research, training, and consultancy services to various governments departments. He serves as a Board of Trustees for the Raymond Mhlaba Trust, and media commentator for various SABC radio stations.