Community Engagements Update: The Accountability Project Research Team met in East London on 29–30 September 2025 to focus on the community engagement data collection component of the project. Beyond their research roles, team members also act as liaison representatives within their organisations, supporting community facilitators during implementation.

Organisational representatives included:

• Afesis: Unam Mlisana, Lindokuhle Vellem
• Development Action Group (DAG): Akhona Siswana
• Durban South Community Advice Centre (DSCAC): David Pieters
• Surplus People Project (SPP): Annuschka Williams
• Planact: Mike Makwela Supported by Veronica Sigamoney (Ethnoequity Research Insights) and Pumla Mabizela (ACT Ubumbano).

The team worked collaboratively and with great commitment to prepare for upcoming community engagements. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants appreciating the chance to engage deeply with the research process. The session clarified uncertainties and strengthened the team’s capacity to support facilitators and the broader engagement process.

Key outputs included:

• Facilitator’s Guide (Final Version)
• Data Capturing Template
• Cover Sheet
• Checklist for facilitators and scribes

These resources will guide the community conversations, which began in October across five communities in four provinces and will wrap up by the end of November 2025.

Partnership with the SIVIO Institute

The National Survey on Citizen Perspectives and Expectations has concluded, and the final report is in its last stages. Stay tuned for the first glimpse of the findings at WE, THE 99% – The People’s G20 Summit, happening 20–22 November at Constitutional Hill.

The full CPE report will be featured in the ACT Ubumbano December 2025 Newsletter. Keep watching this space and join the conversation!