The People's Fix

Action 24 - Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures, an initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, has been engaging civil society organisations, the media, the Provincial Legislatures, and you - the citizens of South Africa - on ways that we can work together for a more effective governance system, in which our elected representatives ensure that the people have the last say when it comes to the decisions that affect their future. Every five years South Africans elect representatives to sit in Parliament and in the Provincial Legislatures. Both of these are fundamental institutions in our democracy. But what are they? Why are they important? And, how exactly do they work?

Legislatures 101

South Africa’s Provincial Legislatures - the institutions mandated to represent the people - seem to be the ones that citizens understand the least and feel the most distant from. Ask yourself: do you know who represents you and your community in the Provincial Legislatures? How many of us even know how these institutions function – and why we should be engaging with them? In this first episode of The People’s Fix, you’ll hear from representatives of South African civil society organisations and from host Fikile ‘DJ Fix’ Moeti, about what the legislatures are, how they work, and what powers they have in the governance of South Africa. List of interviewees - Vusi Ngqokomashe – Land Rights Organisation of South Africa - Thando Lukuko – Project 90 by 2030 - Samson Mokwena – Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance - Molly Mbangula – 360 Degrees Environmental Organisation - Mmathapelo Thobejane – Sekhukhune Environmental Justice Network - Francina Nkosi – Waterberg Women’s Advocacy Organisation - Siya Myeza – Environmental Monitoring Group - Molatelo Mohale – Nkuzi Development Association - Shanice Firmin – South Durban Community Environmental Alliance - Desmond D’sa – South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Disclaimer: This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Action 24 implementing organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s website · Parliament of South Africa's website · Action 24 – Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures · Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

11-02
34:39

Public Participation: More than a tick-box exercise

Making your mark on election day is not the only way for you to influence government decisions. Beyond electing people to represent all citizens, the South African Constitution gives each citizen the right to be involved in decisions that will affect them or the society they live in, and to hold elected representatives and government authorities to account at all times. In this episode of The People’s Fix, our host Fikile ‘DJ Fix’ Moeti takes you into what public participation is and why you should be doing it, and we’ll hear what it currently looks like in practice from representatives of South African civil society organisations. With a full ‘how-to’ guide, you’ll have all the tools you need to be an active citizen for responsive legislatures. List of interviewees: - Francina Nkosi – Waterberg Women’s Advocacy Organisation - Thando Lukuko – Project 90 by 2030 - Siya Myeza – Environmental Monitoring Group - Samson Mokwena – Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance - Vusi Ngqokomashe – Land Rights Organisation of South Africa - Khulekani Magwaza – South African Youth Climate Change Coalition - Molatelo Mohale – Nkuzi Development Association - Sandile Nombeni – 360 Degrees Environmental Organisation - Shanice Firmin – South Durban Community Environmental Alliance - Desmond D’sa – South Durban Community Environmental Alliance - Mmathapelo Thobejane – Sekhukhune Environmental Justice Network - Mandla Jwili – 360 Degrees Environmental Organisation - Qedusizi Masina – 360 Degrees Environmental Organisation Disclaimer: This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Action 24 implementing organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s website · Parliament of South Africa's website · Action 24 – Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures · Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

11-02
51:34

Follow the Money

Have you ever heard sweeping statements during the pre-election day hype, that never quite come to fruition? Or maybe you want to find out if your elected representatives think your and your community’s needs are a priority? One way to see if our elected representatives mean what they say – and are fulfilling their mandate – is to follow the money. In this episode of The People’s Fix hosted by Fikile ‘DJ Fix’ Moeti, we get into the budget process, and how you can use budgets to monitor and influence your Provincial Legislature and the decisions they are making. This is how you can make sure that government is spending public money that we pay through taxes correctly and responsibly. With advice from South African civil society representatives, we walk you through some essential budget monitoring tips, so that you can be a more active citizen for responsive legislatures. List of Interviewees: - Vusi Ngqokomashe – Land Rights Organisation of South Africa - Siya Myeza – Environmental Monitoring Group - Sandile Nombeni – 360 Degrees Environmental Organisation - Thando Lukuko – Project 90 by 2030 Disclaimer: This podcast was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Action 24 implementing organisations and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Submit your ‘Budget Tips · Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s website · Parliament of South Africa's website · Action 24 – Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures · Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

11-02
24:37

The climate crisis in Mzansi - how bad is it?

Climate change: Causes, impacts, and what it means for South Africa In this episode, hosted by Nicole Rodel from African Climate Reality Project, we cover the science and impacts of the global climate crisis - and what it means for Mzansi. South Africa's greenhouse gas emissions are the fourteenth highest in the world - making the country a carbon criminal. Nicole from African Climate Reality Project, together with civil society on the frontlines of climate and environmental injustice, explore how the climate crisis is connected to the socio-economic issues that many South Africans are faced with today - and what we can do to solve it. Guests: > Francina Nkosi | Waterberg Women Advocacy Organization > Samson Mokwena | Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance > Shanice Firmin | South Durban Community Environmental Alliance > Khulekani Fah Magwaza | South African Youth Climate Change Coalition > Siyabonga Myeza | Environmental Monitoring Group free copy of the Action 24 Toolkit for Citizens' Engagement with the Legislatures · Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s website · Parliament of South Africa's website · Action 24 – Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures · Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

01-12
21:39

The climate crisis in Mzansi - will we change?

How we can solve the climate crisis together You can make the difference really, and truly, in determining whether or not we are all successful in solving the climate crisis. In this episode, Nicole from African Climate Reality Project, together with civil society on the frontlines of climate and environmental injustice, cover the solutions to the climate crisis - and how solving the climate crisis can also solve the socio-economic challenges and injustices that many South Africans are faced with today. Tune in and find out how you can use your voice, your choices, and your votes to fight for our future, fight for our communities, fight for our world. Let's be active citizens! Guests: > Francina Nkosi | Waterberg Women Advocacy Organization > Mmathapelo Thobejane | Sekhukhune Environmental Justice Network > Khulekani Fah Magwaza | South African Youth Climate Change Coalition > Vusi Ngqokomashe | Land Rights Organisation of South Africa free copy of the Action 24 Toolkit for Citizens' Engagement with Legislatures · Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s website · Parliament of South Africa's website · Action 24 – Active Citizens for Responsive Legislatures · Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

01-12
15:27

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