Community activism strengthens democracy

Fellow Active Citizens,

Throughout the year, the Community Action Network (CAN) has tackled some of the most pressing issues facing neighbourhoods across South Africa. From security solutions and land invasions to understanding municipal budgets and property valuations, our webinars and resources have aimed to equip you with the tools to address challenges and drive meaningful change in your communities.

As we conclude the year, we turn our focus to a critical foundation of community success: democracy. At its core, democracy is not just a concept but a responsible practice that must be actively protected and wisely executed, especially at the local government level. We, as citizens, can foster transparent governance, ensure accountability, and build the resilient communities we all deserve.

Let’s end the year by reaffirming our commitment to strengthening democracy and empowering communities to take charge of their destinies as 2025 will mostly be about the preparation for the next local elections taking place in 2026 and the role of organised communities in the new South Africa has never been more important than now.

Together, let’s be proactive and influence the future.

Warm regards,

Julius Kleynhans

Executive Manager for Local Government

Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA)