Tired of electricity and water outages, potholes, sewerage flowing in your streets?
fixlocal can help!
Local government, responsible for the provision of these services, is all too often "missing in action". Many of these services are our constitutional rights and millions of us pay rates and taxes to secure them. Many South Africans are tired and despondent and often do not know where to start when it comes to fixing service delivery failures. But, we are also a country of active citizens who want to make a difference. In response to all this, fixlocal is an innovative new initiative poised to make waves across South Africa.
Who is fixlocal?
fixlocal is an apolitical project of Heartlines - the Centre for Values Promotion - an NGO with a 20-year history of large-scale social change campaigns.
What is fixlocal?
fixlocal is a service accessible via the web and WhatsApp. An app is also in development. It enables citizens to fix their local challenges, by working with the authorities or holding them to account, by getting organised, or by fixing the problem themselves. Through helping people mobilise and organise, it will foster communities of active citizens for a more prosperous and equitable South Africa.
What we provide
fixlocal provides step-by-step 'how-to' guides, useful links, tools and templates on:
- How to report a problem (i.e. leaking sewage, potholes, broken streetlights)
- How to escalate a problem
- How to fix it yourself
- fixlocal also collates inspiring stories of active citizens and local authorities who are "fixing local"
Geolocation links the user to the most useful municipal contact information and process to report the issue.
The best practice ideas for what to do if the problem is not resolved, including contact details for ward councillors and the political party they represent. How to mobilise your community peacefully to put pressure on the authorities and to safely 'blow the whistle' and expose corruption, if it is uncovered.
A last resort is to fix it yourself. Best practice guidelines for problems that can be safely and legally tackled.
Real-life success stories of individuals, businesses, NGOs, communities and local authorities successfully addressing local challenges in different contexts - city, township, peri-urban and small towns.
Marketing
fixlocal is partnering with media, corporates, civil society and faith-based organisations to promote fixlocal and inspire people to act.
Roll out plan
fixlocal launched in May 2025 across 18 South African Metropolitan areas. The rest of the country will follow!
Our Team
The Heartlines' staff and collaborators including BBD (Website and WhatsApp developers), Mark Heywood (community activation) and FLOW Communications (digital media marketing).
Our Funders
The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, Yellowwoods, Lombard Insurance, The Stella & Paul Lowenstein Charitable and Educational Trust (through Investec Philanthropies).
Collaborators
The Fine Group, the African Leadership Initiative, the Association of Independent Publishers, News24, Prime Media, Biznews, Daily Maverick, the Leadership Forum, Symphonia and Jozi my Jozi.
- Visit us at www.fixlocal.org.za
- Contact us at info@fixlocal.org.za
- Get fixlocal on WhatsApp – 060 061 1111
Sign up to our monthly newsletter on all things "local government". Send your request to info@fixlocal.org.za.
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