COMMUNITIES

CIVIC ACTIONS TEAMS (CivActs)

The CivActs program, part of the Action for Accountability (A4A) initiative, empowers communities to address service-delivery challenges. In collaboration with Accountability Lab South Africa, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, and the Public Service Accountability Monitor, CivActs takes on issues like water cuts, road conditions, crime, and gaps in healthcare and policing. Participants are equipped with skills for data collection, narrative development, and advocacy. CivActs teams have addressed specific challenges, such as delayed clinic openings, incomplete taxi rank upgrades, water infrastructure maintenance, and water crises. They engage with government departments, local leaders, and organizations to ensure accountability, often utilizing the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (PAIA) for essential information.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

After years of anticipation, the Finetown Clinic is now open, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Action-For-Accountability A4A Project. A4A’s successful campaign has made essential healthcare services accessible to the community. Additionally, A4A is pushing for new service delivery standards, collaboration with relevant departments, and community surveys to provide valuable insights to government bodies.

Makhanda CivActs and Rhodes University’s Biotechnology Innovation Centre joined forces for a vital water testing project. They are using specialized, bacteria-free bottles to collect water samples from across Makhanda, including informal settlements, dams, and rivers. This collaboration aims to improve water quality and hold the municipality accountable for safe drinking water.

CivActs and the Mondeor community successfully prompted a quick response from the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) to fix dangerous potholes on Ormonde Drive. Mondeor has faced ongoing pothole issues, affecting multiple streets. After CivActs member Trené Poragadu reported the problem in mid-May, the JRA and Ward Councilor Stuart Marais took swift action to repair these hazardous potholes. Mondeor residents are now committed to actively monitoring and reporting future potholes to ensure road maintenance in the area.

‘What’s on the Menu, Mzansi?’ is an Accountability Lab South Africa project funded by the European Union (EU), empowering young people to address important issues and hold the government accountable. It centers on the ‘Menu of Possible Commitments,’ designed by the Youth Democracy Cohort, focusing on youth participation priorities. Young participants are free to discuss key issues and devise strategies for addressing them.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

After years of anticipation, the Finetown Clinic is now open, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Action-For-Accountability A4A Project. A4A’s successful campaign has made essential healthcare services accessible to the community. Additionally, A4A is pushing for new service delivery standards, collaboration with relevant departments, and community surveys to provide valuable insights to government bodies.

Makhanda CivActs and Rhodes University’s Biotechnology Innovation Centre joined forces for a vital water testing project. They are using specialized, bacteria-free bottles to collect water samples from across Makhanda, including informal settlements, dams, and rivers. This collaboration aims to improve water quality and hold the municipality accountable for safe drinking water.

CivActs and the Mondeor community successfully prompted a quick response from the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) to fix dangerous potholes on Ormonde Drive. Mondeor has faced ongoing pothole issues, affecting multiple streets. After CivActs member Trené Poragadu reported the problem in mid-May, the JRA and Ward Councilor Stuart Marais took swift action to repair these hazardous potholes. Mondeor residents are now committed to actively monitoring and reporting future potholes to ensure road maintenance in the area.

‘What’s on the Menu, Mzansi?’ is an Accountability Lab South Africa project funded by the European Union (EU), empowering young people to address important issues and hold the government accountable. It centers on the ‘Menu of Possible Commitments,’ designed by the Youth Democracy Cohort, focusing on youth participation priorities. Young participants are free to discuss key issues and devise strategies for addressing them.

IMPACT TO DATE

Community Engagement and Recruitment:

  • Conducted introductory meetings between May and July 2022, engaging a diverse audience.
  • 233 community members actively participated in these meetings.
  • Encouraged participants to join CivActs teams, Community Frontline Associates, and Activist Media Fellows.

Capacity Building:

  • Equipped CivActs team members with skills, tools, and knowledge for data collection, advocacy campaigns, and Social Accountability Monitoring.
  • Engaged local leaders and key stakeholders to improve service delivery in their communities.

Social Accountability Monitoring:

  • Trained CivActs team members in a five-day program on Social Accountability Monitoring.
  • Strengthened the knowledge and skills of civil society reformers to understand and apply government systems and accountability mechanisms.

Baseline Study:

  • Conducted a baseline study in late 2022, gathering 1015 responses to understand community perceptions.
  • Revealed that 40% of respondents found ward committee members most helpful in addressing community challenges, and only 9% had been informed about public fund usage.