Participatory Democracy
latest news & developments
The politics of the belly: Why poverty fuels, not suppresses, political engagement
Impoverished communities have a complicated relationship with political engagement, which is vital for their survival
A pivotal moment for South Africa: Energy crisis, climate action and inclusive governance
As young activists, we urge our government to take bold and decisive action to address the pressing issues of energy poverty and environmental justice
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
How to reverse the death of democracy
Public participation has become farcical in our tick-the-box democracy. We need to reverse this
A partnership between citizens and the state is needed to manage the pandemic
Covid-19 has taught us that we need an effective local government, a preventative and curative health system, evidence-based policing, a politically neutral public service and…
Covid-19 pandemic offers municipalities rare opportunity to restore trust
Local government and councillors have largely failed to deliver services and on their mandate because of a lack of will to do their jobs, corruption and a shortage of people with…
The democratic process of voting was wearing thin before lockdown
The number of adults who didn’t vote in the 2019 elections reflects citizens’ disenchantment with their representatives. Perhaps Covid-19 presents government with the chance to…