Wording Tim Johnson – Principal, Local Real Estate
I’ve always been someone who gets involved in any community I live in. My wife constantly tells me that I need to take on less. Easier said than done. For me however, one of the biggest differentiators in communities that are generally thriving, is a strong sense of civic duty and active participation.
The best communities aren’t the ones where residents sit back and wait for the government to fix everything. They’re the ones where people and officials work together; where residents take
ownership of their spaces and help drive solutions. Public apathy, the mindset of waiting for others to step in, is one of the biggest threats to functional communities. It allows poor governance to thrive, service delivery to collapse, and frustration to build. Yet, despite the complaints, many people still don’t step up. The bottom line is that there is no magical “someone else” who will always swoop in to save the day.
I’ve seen it time and again. When people disengage, things can go downhill. Contrary to some beliefs, the colour of the political party logo is also not a guarantee of transparency and service delivery. Expecting any official to just do their job without being held accountable is wishful thinking. Also, just assuming that a small group of activists or ratepayers’ associations can carry the weight of an entire community also isn’t fair. The more people step up, the more power a community has to demand better services, transparency, and create positive change. In essence, the problem isn’t that people don’t notice what’s going wrong, it’s that they do, but think, “That’s the government’s job”, or “I’m too busy, someone else must sort it out”, or even, “What difference can I really make?” So, they wait. Meanwhile, the few people who do step up, often the same handful in every community, find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted, and, frankly, frustrated that others won’t pull their weight.
Public participation is a constitutional right that should be exercised by all South African citizens. The Municipal Systems Act clearly states that a municipality consists of three parts: political structures, administration and the community. Our right to public participation is enshrined in both the Constitution and the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, which deals with public participation in local government.
So, what can you actually do? I get it, life is busy. Not everyone has the time, or energy, to attend every meeting, draft letters, or rally protests. Getting involved doesn’t however have to take over your life. Small actions, done consistently, make a difference. Show up at meetings, even just once in a while, to stay informed; join or support your local residents' group such as The Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (DOCRRA), who generously give freely of their time to represent the community; report service delivery issues; hold elected officials accountable by asking questions and demanding transparency, no matter your political leaning; and help with community projects such as clean-ups, safety initiatives, or fundraisers.
So, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Should I get involved?”, the answer is yes. Do something. Anything. Because if we all wait for someone else, we may be waiting forever.