Tired of electricity and water outages, potholes, or sewage flowing into your streets? fixlocal is here to help!
Across South Africa, local government is responsible for providing essential services, yet all too often, it is “Missing In Action”. Many South Africans, despite paying rates and taxes, feel frustrated and despondent, unsure where to begin when faced with service delivery failures.
fixlocal is an innovative new initiative designed to address this challenge, from the largest metros to the smallest towns. Founded by Garth Japhet (ALI SA Class X: XSeed) and initiated in partnership with Mark Heywood—who has played a key role in mobilising media as well as activist organisations—fixlocal is a project of Heartlines, the Centre for Values Promotion, with over twenty years’ experience in driving social change. fixlocal is poised to make a real difference.
So, what is fixlocal’s solution? fixlocal is a website, WhatsApp platform, and soon-to-launch app that helps people find the quickest route to address local government service delivery problems and, when necessary, hold authorities to account. The long-term vision is clear: a prosperous and equitable South Africa.
fixlocal provides step-by-step ‘how-to’ guides, links, tools, and templates on:
- How to report a problem – Whether it’s leaking sewage, potholes, broken streetlights, or traffic lights, fixlocal uses geolocation to connect users with the most relevant municipal contact information and reporting processes.
- How to escalate a problem – If an issue isn’t resolved, fixlocal offers best practice ideas for taking the next steps. This includes geolocating your local councillor’s details, mobilising your community peacefully and safely, and whistle-blowing if corruption is uncovered. The platform features a toolbox of guides for local community organising, drawn from the real experience of seasoned activists across the country.
- How to fix it yourselves – As a last resort, fixlocal provides best practice guidelines for problems that can be safely and legally tackled by communities themselves.
fixlocal also celebrates inspiring stories of active citizens, businesses, NGOs, communities and local authorities who have successfully addressed local challenges in a variety of contexts, from big cities and townships to peri-urban and small towns.
Currently, fixlocal covers 18 metros and municipalities, including all the major centres and several smaller areas, with the aim to expand nationwide as the project grows.
“The long-term vision is clear: a prosperous and equitable South Africa.”
Developed by a unique alliance of software techies, AI specialists, media and communications experts and community activists, fixlocal is just getting started. The platform will continue to evolve based on user feedback, with new stories and guides added as the initiative unfolds.
Share fixlocal widely and encourage your networks to use it. Together, we can help communities take practical steps to improve service delivery and strengthen accountability at every level.
Visit www.fixlocal.org.za or connect via WhatsApp at 060 061 1111 to get involved.
fixlocal is a powerful example of Ventures in Action—where ALI Fellows turn challenges into opportunities for impact, inspiring communities to work together for a better South Africa.
