civic engagementlatest news & developments
Illuminating the way: The rehabilitation of the Nelson Mandela Bridge was positioned as a signal — a beacon of hope and pride — at one of 13 identified gateways into the inner city. Photo: File

Jozi My Jozi: How civic action is restoring pride in Joburg

From solar streetlights to community events, Jozi My Jozi is revitalising the inner city through practical civic projects that inspire hope and reignite pride

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa.Photo: @CyrilRamaphosa/X

Ramaphosa: National Dialogue will launch ‘a million conversations’ about SA’s problems

President Cyril Ramaphosa put a brave face on Friday to legacy foundations and opposition parties boycotting a convention to kick off a National Dialogue on how to resolve South Africa’s numerous problems, saying similar walkouts had occurred during the difficult transition to democracy. “We are embarking on a process that will launch a million conversations. […]

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
Dissatisfaction with the failure to deliver adequate services often results in protests, with Johannesburg being the country’s protest capital. Photo: File

The state must listen and talk to the people

There’s a disconnect between how the state interacts with citizens and how citizens engage with the state, which hampers governance

  • Eyaaz
6 min read
While technology can create efficiencies in governance, it risks excluding marginalised groups who rely on traditional civic engagements.

e-Services in South Africa exacerbate inequality through digital barriers

Challenges detract from technology’s potential to allow users to engage with structures of political and public life, leaving many without a say

  • Des Erasmus
7 min read
By fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging continuous, diverse forms of participation, we can provoke a new way of thinking about democratic engagement. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Participation beyond the ballot box is essential for democracy in South Africa

Despite consultations, public hearings, and government gazettes, efforts to foster meaningful engagement beyond elections remain inadequate

  • Des Erasmus
7 min read