From spectators to changemakers: Nearly 200 North West residents trained to strengthen local democracy

The programme expands to Mahikeng on 17 July as part of efforts to strengthen active citizenship, promote public participation and build more responsive local government across the province.

For many South Africans, democracy has often been reduced to a single day at the ballot box. But across the North West, nearly 200 ordinary residents are learning that their voices matter every day, not just during elections.

Over the past month, pensioners, young people, community activists and local residents from Rustenburg, the City of Matlosana, JB Marks and Madibeng have taken part in the Local Democracy Accountability (LDA) Initiative, a civic education programme designed to help citizens better understand how local government works and how they can hold elected leaders accountable.

This week, the programme reaches Mahikeng Local Municipality, where another group of residents will begin the journey to becoming what Civic Root Advocacy (CRA) calls “Civic Accountability Champions.”

Launched in June 2026, the initiative comes at a critical time as South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Rather than focusing solely on encouraging people to vote, the programme equips participants with practical knowledge that enables them to remain active in their communities long after election posters have disappeared.

For many participants, receiving a certificate at the end of the training symbolises more than completing a course. It represents a commitment to becoming informed citizens who understand both their rights and their responsibilities.

The training covers a range of practical topics, including the role of municipalities, public participation processes, democratic rights, accountability mechanisms and ways communities can engage constructively with councillors and municipal officials.

The programme also explains how residents can participate in Integrated Development Plan consultations, attend council meetings and raise concerns about service delivery through formal channels.

Executive Director Siyabulela Jentile said the response to the initiative has demonstrated that communities are eager to play a more active role in shaping local government.

“The response we have received over the past month demonstrates that ordinary citizens want to play a more active role in shaping their communities. When people understand how local government works and how to engage with it effectively, they become partners in building accountable, responsive and transparent municipalities,” said Jentile.

South Africa’s Constitution provides extensive opportunities for public participation, yet many communities continue to experience barriers that prevent meaningful engagement with local government.

Limited civic education, declining voter turnout and weak accountability have contributed to growing frustration in many communities where residents often feel disconnected from the decisions that affect their daily lives.

Civic Root believes that informed citizens are more likely to participate constructively in governance and help strengthen democratic institutions.

“Our goal is to equip citizens with practical knowledge and confidence to engage their elected representatives throughout their term of office. Strong local democracy depends on informed communities that know both their rights and their responsibilities,” Jentile said.

The organisation says the growing number of trained Civic Accountability Champions reflects increasing public demand for civic education and a desire to move beyond being passive observers of government.

For many communities, understanding how municipalities function can make the difference between feeling powerless and knowing how to influence decisions on issues such as water, electricity, roads, housing and sanitation.

The initiative is supported by several partners, including the Independent Electoral Commission, the North West Provincial Legislature and the South African Local Government Association, whose collaboration has helped expand the programme across the province.

As the LDA Initiative continues its rollout, Mahikeng becomes the next stop in a growing movement that seeks to place ordinary citizens at the centre of local democracy.

For the nearly 200 residents who have already completed the programme, the lessons extend far beyond the classroom. They return to their communities with a deeper understanding of how democracy works and the confidence to ask questions, demand accountability and participate in building responsive local government.

With local government elections approaching, Civic Root hopes that empowering communities with knowledge today will help create stronger municipalities and a more engaged citizenry long after the votes have been counted.