Grassroot

Grassroot is a free to use mobile organizing tool that works on any cellphone. Dial *134*1994# or use our web app on grassroot.org.za.

Basic food basket costs more than the minimum wage; the inadequate R350 grant that was a lifeline for millions is gone, along with the social grant top-ups; etc. Meanwhile South Africa's Minister of Finance:

New on DemocracySpot - Between too much and too little: a tentative framework for putting trust in government into context  buff.ly/3yAKbo5 #opengov #demopart

Massive thank you to @lukesjordan, @mitgovlab, and everyone who made the event successful. Feel free to check out the complete 'Don't Build it" guide here: mitgovlab.org/resources/dont… #Dontbuilditevent #ICT4D #GovTech #CivicTech @Dagori_ @HAdebisi1

Today on the podcast, we chat with @iobijr and @lukesjordan from the MIT GOV/LAB about the unique challenges you face when trying to solve civic problems with software. Listen here: …stack-overflow-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/dont-…

EVENT ALERT: Curious how #CivicTech ups #CitizenParticipation...and should you build a new app? @lukesjordan @grassrootza @mitgovlab says "don't build it!" in his new guide. Find out why at our #BBL on June 8th at 12pm EDT. RSVP: gint.info/MIT-OGH-BBL-ci… cc: @azomer @MIT

Sign the petition to support Abahlali members being denied due process in charges that, in the advocate's words, "stink to high heaven" chng.it/gZMZm5hV

A guide to when and how to build technology for social good: The first lesson? Most of the time, you probably shouldn’t build new civic tech. mitsha.re/G1yv50Eu99C

So when and how should you build technology for social good? Here is a quick guideline for civic techies. @grassrootza @Kmoeti @lukesjordan @mitgovlab bit.ly/3ayvFUe

What if you tried to build a graph model of India's whole legal system? Christina Warren at MIT, on our AI for Democracy project, is trying to do just that, using a database of 80m+ cases from @devdatalab. Link to the graph data itself in the article! mitgovlab.org/updates/graphi…

At our next #TICTeC event @lukesjordan (practitioner in residence @mitgovlab and Director @grassrootza) will share lessons and challenges of developing new #civictech, based on the last four years building #participatorydemocracy platforms in South Africa eventbrite.co.uk/e/hearing-ever…

The second part of my "what if" about South African politics is now live, in which the insurgent African People's Movement comes to power. Part 3 next week! link.medium.com/eXJ2lb0QIeb

"Imagine change, even if the change is not what you want to see": a mentor challenged me to do that for South Africa. The result is too long for a publication, and too short as a book, so I'm going to experiment and serialize it. Part 1 now up. link.medium.com/ilC6GfZdxeb

At our 2nd #TICTeC Show & Tell, expert speakers from @Civocracy @OpenUpSA @ideas42 @grassrootza @FutureGov @UCIrvine @Cmnplace will share their research & lessons learned regarding online #citizenengagement projects ow.ly/wFQs50DNPFF #civictech #opengov #citizenassemblies

Residents of Mossel Bay Municipality sent #Asivikelane this video of a broken tap in their community. One resident commented: "We do have enough water but some taps are damaged. We requested for assistance from the municipality but till now they have not yet responded."

"We happened to be here right when new toilets were delivered in Ext 18, Etwatwa. These are efforts to get better sanitation facilities by the Asivikelane team here." #Asivikelane received these pictures of new toilets in @City_Ekurhuleni from our partner @Planact_NGO

#Asivikelane results! 45% of informal settlement residents contracted #COVID19 in the first wave because they are sharing dirty taps & toilets. The sharp increase in red traffic lights makes us worry that the 2nd wave of infections will start and spread in informal settlements.

#Asivikelane results! 45% of informal settlement residents contracted #COVID19 in the first wave because they are sharing dirty taps & toilets. The sharp increase in red traffic lights makes us worry that the 2nd wave of infections will start and spread in informal settlements.

Residents in Ezikrebheni settlement in @eThekwiniM are waiting at the only standpipe for hours to fill up buckets due to extremely low water pressure. #Asivikelane received this video from residents waiting for a tiny trickle of water to fill up their buckets. @SASDIAlliance

A concerned resident in @CityofJoburgZA spoke to #Asivikelane about his concerns for disabled members of his community. He sent us this picture of the toilets which are not wheelchair accessible. This makes using the toilets very difficult for disabled users. #socialaudits

Residents of the informal settlement of Masiphumle in @OfficialBCMM sent #Asivikelane these photos of their self-built pit toilet. They also sent us photos of where the waste is burnt due to insufficient refuse removal. @Afesiscorplan #socialaudits