Public Participation

Working together, we can do more

Public Participation is an opportunity for the public to strengthen partnerships with government.

It is a citizen-oriented communication initiative of the democratic Government to ensure regular contact between elected public representatives and citizens.

Why has the democratic Government put this programme in place?

These are planned and well-researched visits which offer leaders an opportunity of getting feedback from communities about challenges, ideas and opportunities. Ministers and deputy ministers, premiers, members of the executive (MECs), executive mayors and councillors can see first-hand how various programmes they are responsible for are being implemented.

In 2011 alone, President Jacob Zuma's Public Participation Programme reached communities in the Free State, Eastern Cape and Limpopo and is currently en route to the North West on 17 April and also Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal later. These also included repeat visits to assess progress.

Why should you attend a public participation programme in your area?

Bottlenecks are identified and urgent interventions made to address these. Moreover, repeat and follow-up visits are made to areas to ensure that progress is being made and solutions implemented in a sustainable way.

The Public Participation Programme takes the work of government communication to a new height. These events are coupled with service delivery and information drives by all the spheres of government – mobile offices of the departments of home affairs, labour and health and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are often on site at these events, addressing service needs of communities.

How else can communities interact with Government more regularly?

The public must be involved in the work of government as the foundations of this democracy. You can do this by:

participating in ward committees
attending community meetings and public participation events
visiting government offices and centres such as Thusong Service Centres, youth advisory centres, clinics and libraries
calling government’s toll-free number 1020
calling the Presidential Hotline (17737) if you didn’t get assistance from other call centres, offices etc.
speaking to government officials such as community development workers, early childhood development and healthcare workers and government communicators.

Public participation events

Public participation events are advertised in the area where they are taking place.

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Last modified: 05 April 2012 13:13:45.